Downtown midday diners looking for the al fresco experience will have a new option beginning Monday when “Charlie’s Café” opens at Hemming Park.
Named in homage to the late U.S. Rep. Charles E. Bennett, who represented Jacksonville from 1949-93, the space will offer seating for 64 people.
Covered tables will be set up each day under the park’s tree canopy near the life-size bronze statue of Bennett that has been part of Hemming’s landscape since 2004.
The café area is the latest amenity devised by Friends of Hemming Plaza, the nonprofit contracted by the city to manage and program the park.
Vince Cavin, Friends executive director, said in a news release the café is the result of studying what makes other urban parks successful.
A café area was a top priority for Cavin’s group to revitalize the public space at City Hall’s front door.
“We’re looking forward to becoming part of Downtown’s culinary experience,” he said.
The concept has proved to attract people to public spaces in other cities, said Friends spokesman Keith Marks. He cited a similar dining area in Bryant Park in New York
City as the inspiration for the Hemming site that will be available 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday.
A permanent vendor is scheduled to be in place in March.
Until then, the Friends have invited caterers, food trucks and restaurants to participate in the café.
The food truck Fusion is scheduled to serve lunch Monday, followed by Taste Buds Express on Tuesday, Super Food Truck on Wednesday and Son of a Butcher on Thursday and Friday.
Other vendors in the rotating schedule in January include Baby’s Badass Burgers, Blue Pacific Grille & Taco Bar, The Conch Shell and Little Family Crepes.
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