by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
After years of planning and months of debate over City-funded start-up costs, the Main Library is finally getting a cafe.
City Council approved the operating agreement and lease for Shelby’s Coffee Shoppe at Tuesday night’s meeting. More than a year has passed since Steve Hicks, of Shelby’s at the beach, won the bid for the unfinished space on the Downtown library’s ground floor.
“The contract’s gone to the mayor to be signed,” said library spokeswoman Stacie Bucher. “It’s going to be a wonderful addition to the Main Library.”
In recent months, City Council members questioned the $260,000 slated from the Better Jacksonville Plan for the cafe’s start-up costs. Support from the mayor’s office and the library’s board of trustees, along with several lease amendments, helped the cafe terms gain approval.
Under the approved terms of the agreement, Hicks can be reimbursed for $260,000 of his start-up expenses, such as air conditioning, plumbing, furniture and other permanent fixtures.
Hicks said he’s already invested more than $30,000 in attorney and architect fees and he’s been living off savings for the past year to concentrate on the project. He estimates his total start-up costs will top $500,000. An estimate from bidder Commercial Interiors totals $367,145, and Hicks’ attorney estimates furniture and kitchen equipment will come to about $80,000.
In previous articles, mayoral spokeswoman Susie Wiles told the Daily Record the incentive funding aimed to help the library cafe test out the Downtown market. Some Council members argued the funding was an unfair subsidy that put other Downtown businesses at a disadvantage.
As Shelby’s was negotiating with the City last year, the losing competitors for the cafe bid opened another Downtown business. Caterer Ron Dray opened Chunky Chef Chicken and Waffles with his sister and brother-in-law.
“We opened before the (new Main) Library actually opened itself,” said Dray.
The New York-style restaurant and catering business closed recently, however. Dray said they weren’t making enough money and his brother-in-law left the business.
“I wish they would have done that (paid for start-up costs) for Chunky Chef,” said Dray. “We could have used that right about now.”
Hicks said he still thinks the deal is fair, and he’s excited for construction to begin.
“Could we make it without the money? Very likely we could have. We’re an almost 12-year-old business in Neptune Beach,” said Hicks. “But my whole future depends on this whole project. I can’t wait another two years.
“The money’s there, we need it to get started and we need it to stay in that space,” he continued. “It gives us a little more insurance. I know when I walk away from that thing the City gets to keep it all. But we’re not leaving there; Shelby’s is going to be an institution in Jacksonville. You’re going to see us all over.”
Hicks said he wants to continue expanding the business around town in the future, possibly to the Mayport and Nocatee areas. In the meantime, he plans to focus on opening the library cafe before February.
Nearly 4 million patrons have visited the Main Library since its opening in November 2005. Hicks said the cafe will offer those visitors traditional Shelby’s fare: coffee, snacks, sandwiches, soups and salads.