by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Potes Design, one of Hendricks Avenue’s newest stores, is hoping its modern decor will find a niche in Jacksonville.
Owners Juan Carlos Potes and Nelson Sabbagh recently moved to Jacksonville from Miami. They opened their first design store there, but Sabbagh needed to be close to the Mayo Clinic for medical reasons. Both moved to Jacksonville and soon decided there might still be a market for their contemporary design store.
“We haven’t seen anything like this product in Jacksonville,” said Potes. “We were up here a year ago and we were driving around and saw this location and thought it may be a good spot for our store.”
Potes said they looked at spots on San Marco Boulevard and at the St. Johns Town Center, but they liked the spot at 1636-B Hendricks Ave.
“There isn’t a lot of walking traffic right now, but people do stop by to see what is inside,” he said. “Some say it isn’t their style, but we are still grateful that they come in to look around.”
Even though their modern/contemporary decor may not fit everyone’s taste, some people might be surprised at where a lot of their merchandise comes from. Almost everything in the store is from either Europe or China. Much of their glass decor and quilts are from Italy, and everything is handcrafted.
“We started carrying different lines of lamps from Europe and there is a good market for lamps,” he said. “People love it.
“If you are going to open a lamp store, it has to be different from all the others.”
They also have furniture for the home or office, along with gifts like picture frames, jewelry and modern cuckoo clocks. Many of the art pieces hanging on the walls are from artists in South America, he said.
“My favorite part is going to these countries. I get to talking with these people and then I am asking them to send their items to me,” said Potes. “I never try and get the same thing over and over.”
Potes said contemporary home decor is “new” for many people and his focus is mostly on designers.
“We focus on architects and designers,” he said. “They understand more of what all of this is.”
Potes and Sabbagh said the new condominiums in the area will hopefully bring more of their ideal customers closer to the store.
“We hope that helps our business,” he said. “We have already had a few clients in here from the condos that are going up.”
Potes also said he looks forward to the road work finishing on Hendricks Avenue. He added they aren’t sure how long they will be in Jacksonville, but they might open another store near the beaches.
“Whatever happens, happens,” he said.
Potes Design is located on Hendricks Avenue next to San Marco Produce. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.