by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
For the past 20 years The Jacksonville Landing has had its ups and downs. The riverfront mall has hosted some of the largest parties in town, stores have come and gone and major entertainers have taken the stage.
So what is in store for the next 20 years? First, the Landing is hosting a month-long celebration to commemorate the anniversary.
“To celebrate the Landing’s 20th anniversary we wanted to do something that we have never done before in the summer,” said Rachel Kaltenbach, director of public relations for the Landing. “We do a lot of free events, but this is different because we are bringing in larger acts and we have never done that before on our own.
“This is our way of thanking the people of Jacksonville for the first 20 years and look forward to the next 20 years.”
Friday, Eddie Money will perform in the Landing’s courtyard with the Little River Band coming into town Aug. 25. Both concerts begin with an opening act at 8 p.m. Admission is free and there are no age restrictions for either show. Once the concerts conclude, entertainment will continue until 2 a.m. In addition to the two headline concerts, there will be free live entertainment each weekend throughout the month leading up to each performance.
The next 20 years may be a long way away, but Kaltenbach said there has been a lot of brainstorming going on about the future.
“There is nothing specific at this point,” she said. “There will be changes … Toney’s (Sleiman) five year anniversary is coming up next year (as owner) … but there is nothing we can share specifically at this time.
“Right now we want to continue to adapt and change with the city.”
Keeping up with the changes of Downtown Jacksonville is something the Landing wants to continue.
“What we want to do is what we did the last 20 years and that is grow with the city,” said Kaltenbach. “We have been like a chameleon by changing with the trends and the city.”
Jacksonville has changed throughout the years and the Landing has realized what kind of market it has Downtown.
“We feel we have a good sense as to what the people who come to the Landing want,” she said. “It is not always about quantity, it is more about quality.”
The Rouse Company opened the Landing June 25, 1987. Many of the stores that leased spaces at the Landing — such as Laura Ashley, Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic and The Gap — left as soon as their leases expired.
The Landing took a step in the right direction when Sleiman — who owns and develops commercial property all over the area — announced he was purchasing the property on Nov. 13, 2003. Since then Sleiman has worked hard to keep a mixture of retail, entertainment and restaurants at the Landing.
Just this year, many of the Landing’s tenants have expanded, opened or bought other businesses within the Landing’s walls.
Doug Ganson, owner of Sundrez — a card, gift and convenience store — has been in business at the Landing for 14 years. He said some years have been more profitable than others, but over the years he’s been satisfied with sales numbers much more than he’s been disappointed.
“It has been a roller-coaster, but being a convenience store has insulated us from the ups and downs of business here,” said Ganson. “We serve the people who come to the Landing as well as people who work Downtown and people who are tourists or staying in the hotels for conventions.”
He recently acquired the Ice Cream Churn in the Landing, did a little remodeling and renamed it Dipper Dan’s.
“Ice cream has been a big success. In fact, if I had known how successful it was going to be, I would have done it years ago,” said Ganson.
Vicki Moody, who owns jBunae, had a great first year and she has done so well that she moved her store a couple doors down to a much larger space.
Brothers Loros and Benny Yousefzadeh recently opened Bourbon Bayou on the first floor. They already own Benny’s Steak & Seafood and Bourbon Express in the food court. Their other brother George owns Vito’s Italian Restaurant.
“We are all just taking the opportunities that are coming across,” said Benny about himself and his fellow Landing tenants. “Growing is good for all of us and it gives us more venues at the Landing.”
Another store that has grown over the years is Discount Pro-Wear. Owner Harold Fine opened the store in 1997 that carries everything from athletic apparel to souvenirs for tourists. He moved from a 3,400 square-foot store to the current 10,000 square-foot store April 2005.
He said there have been great years and lean years, but as long as there is football season, he’ll be in business at the Landing.
Fine also said his bottom line is tied to Downtown hotel occupancy and if he could wish for one thing to change for the next 20 years of Landing history, “It would be building a convention center close by. That would be an outstanding idea.”
Overall, Kaltenbach added that in the past four years since Sleiman bought the Landing, there have been many positive changes.
Pong Mattiace, owner of Hannah and Her Sisters Jewelry, agreed. The day the Landing first opened its doors 20 years ago, she was selling jewelry from a pushcart. Today, she has a full-service store.
“For 20 years, I’ve been able to pay the rent and have merchandise, so why not stay another day?” she joked. “Since Sleiman Enterprises and Toney Sleiman took over, it has become like a family here.”
Kaltenbach said many of their current tenants know what it takes to do well at the Landing. They are either acquiring more space or opening new businesses.
“They are here every day and some have opened two or three businesses,” she said. “It speaks very highly of the Landing, but particularly the business owners.”
Ganson thinks the biggest factor in the success of the Landing in the next 20 years will be the resolution of an issue that has been on the table since the day the riverfront mall opened: people need to have a convenient place to leave their vehicles while they shop or dine.
“The Landing has been since it opened — and probably always will be — the best opportunity for the public to have access to the river. But if the parking lot that has been promised for 20 years is built, it would have a tremendous positive impact on all of the businesses here,” he said.
20 years and going strong - in business at the Landing since July 25, 1987:
• Hooters
• Body Shop
• Nine West Outlet
• Hannah and Her Sisters
• Toy Factory