IKEA dominated the retail news for 2015 and likely will again as it builds in 2016 and opens in 2017, putting Jacksonville on the popular global company’s international map.
The Sweden-based furniture company identified a site in Southside near other major retail developments: The St. Johns Town Center and The Markets at Town Center, and the coming Town Center Exchange and Strand retail center.
Topgolf is expected to open in the summer near the Town Center, while La-Z-Boy and other new tenants move into space there. Don’t forget the St. Johns Town Center still has land designated for another major anchor store.
Foodies saw existing supermarket chains add and renovate, while new players continue to enter the market.
Chain and local restaurants expanded in the market, including Downtown, where the locally owned Cowford Chophouse should open in 2016 in the redeveloped Bostwick Building.
Sbraga & Co., from “Top Chef” winner Kevin Sbraga, is a new entry in Brooklyn.
Convenience store and gas station chains are coming on strong, with many renovating or building bigger stores, and some venturing into Downtown-area markets.
Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum Co. expects to buy the former Two Doors Down restaurant site in Brooklyn to develop a store in the Riverside market.
The Wawa chain is eyeing Jacksonville and the new On the Move company said it has letters of intent for six Jacksonville properties.
Areas in or near Downtown also are ripe for retail announcements, including East San Marco, The District, Brooklyn/Riverside and Springfield.
Hotel development and redevelopment also continues around the area, including Downtown.
Major retail developer Gatlin Development Co. moved its headquarters to Jacksonville in 2015 from South Florida and expects to develop around the area.
Older properties, such as Regency Square Mall, continue to reposition themselves to accommodate alternative uses. Other smaller properties are being sold for redevelopment.
And then there’s the big question — when will Bass Pro Shops finally build its long-announced destination outdoors store in St. Johns County?