'We made money and we had a good time doing it'

News

Staff Writer

While it’s virtually impossible to get an accurate head count, or even a good estimate, suffice it to say that thousands of people came Downtown for the May 27-30 Jacksonville Jazz Festival events. From Thursday night’s piano competition at The Florida Theatre until Patti LaBelle left the main stage Sunday night, the urban core was filled with music fans, street vendors and those who just enjoy being at a festival.

Many Downtown businesses planned ahead and offered extended hours and additional staff for the weekend. Several hired musicians to perform in their restaurants and clubs. The consensus is that the festival was good for business and great for Downtown.

Burrito Gallery on East Adams Street was next door to the event’s main stage and partner Paul Shockey said the festival was a hit for the restaurant and lounge.

“We’d give it a ‘9’, “ he said. “It was like having back-to-back Art Walks. We made money and had a good time doing it.”

The Landing is always a center of activity for any Downtown event and merchants there also reported brisk business during the festival.

“People poured through the door,” said Lina Woods, owner of Lina M. Bath and Boutique. “I got my 500th new customer since I opened two-and-a-half months ago during the festival. I think it was awesome for Downtown.”

Another Landing merchant, Doug Ganson, owns Sundrez Fine Cigars, Cards, Gifts & Souvenirs and Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream. In addition to doing a lot of business, he saw the festival as a blueprint for revitalization.

“The weekend proved that if there’s a reason to come Downtown, people don’t hesitate. They weren’t worried about parking or congestion issues,” said Ganson.

He also said when the festival wrapped up Sunday night, there was a spike in business.

“Patti LaBelle finished her show about 8:15 and by 8:30 the Landing was as packed as it is on New Year’s Eve,” said Ganson. “The festival was one of the best events we’ve ever had Downtown and I think the City did a great job.”

Jerry Ewais recently moved his Zodiac Grill to its new home on West Adams Street. Though a few blocks away from the festival site and usually a Downtown lunch destination, he booked live music for the weekend and stayed open late.

“We had a full house Friday and Saturday night,” he said.

Adrian Plummer owns Poppy Love Smoke, a cigar and wine lounge on East Adams Street, and said the festival brought a different atmosphere Downtown.

“It was very metropolitan,” said Plummer. “We had business all day and into the night. I’d support doing a festival like this at least three times a year.”