by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
With curiosity and anticipation already high, representatives from Gordo’s Cuban Cuisine in the Schultz Building on West Adams Street say the doors will open Wednesday at 7 a.m. sharp.
“We’re good to go,” said General Manager David Kolesnik. “We had the health inspector in here Thursday and everything is kosher on our end. We’ve printed 3,000 menus.”
From now until the opening day — a soft opening — finishing touches are being applied to Gordo’s main dining area. A grand opening date remains undetermined.
“We’re just doing a few things here and there for aesthetics,” said Kolesnik. “Hanging things up and things like that. We’re having a mural painted at the entrance, too. That’s really all that’s left.”
Along with flat pressed sandwiches and other Cuban dishes, Gordo’s will serve assorted beer and wine. A liquor license is also on the agenda.
“We’re not sure if we will get it or not,” said Kolesnik, “but we’re hoping we do.”
As previously reported, owners Robert Morales and Alberto and Eddie Agramonte considered locations in Orlando and Gainesville before eventually moving forward in Jacksonville; a “smart move,” according to Kolesnik.
“The response has been awesome,” he said. “People come by all the time and our phone won’t stop ringing with people asking us when we’re going to open. It’s ridiculous.”
According to Kolesnik, many of the potential customers are graduates of Florida State University in Tallahassee, where the franchise originated.
“They’ll call us saying, ‘We used to go there all the time when we were at FSU,’ ” he said. “It’s definitely a popular place there and people remember that. I had no idea so many people from Florida State work downtown.”
FSU alumni aside, Kolesnik expects healthy business, thanks to a good location and the resurgence of residential clientele downtown.
“It’s going to be great,” he said. “The housing units down here are going to play a huge part. There’s really not a lot down here and there’s only three Cuban places in Jacksonville.”
All hirings are complete, with seven staffers from the Tallahassee stores picking up hours here in Jacksonville.
“The hirings were a little slow from the start,” said Kolesnik, “but we’ve got a solid staff here, now. I think we’re going to do very well.”