Biggby Coffee is building-out at Gates of the Promenade to open about September.
The city issued a permit May 9 for J. Lane Construction LLC to build-out 1,557 square feet of space for Biggby Coffee at 8587 Beach Blvd., No. 1107, at a project cost of $430,000.
The space, with 20 indoor seats and a drive-thru window, is in an end unit of a 6,000-square-foot building.
The building is on an outparcel of Gates of the Promenade, which is in the Grove Park area. Hakimian Holdings is the landlord.
The operator is Cowford Coffee Corp., owned by Kevin and Natalie Clark of Jacksonville.
“Construction is moving along very well,” Kevin Clark said by email July 19.
“The location is surrounded by wonderful neighborhoods and easily accessible for our future drive-thru customers.”
He said they would like to set up a few small two-seat cafe tables under the front awning.
The Clarks own the franchise through Cowford Coffee.
“Natalie and I would love to have more than one location, but right now, our little family is focused on getting this location up and running,” he said.
They have a 2-year-old daughter.
They are opening Biggby Coffee as coffee chains, especially drive-thru kiosks, are opening throughout Northeast Florida.
“We are locally owned and operated. We are a regular family building a life we love,” Clark said.
Biggby offers coffee, specialty coffee drinks, lattes, teas, shakes, smoothies and limited-time-offer seasonal drinks.
It also has a food menu of breakfast sandwiches, waffles, muffins and other items.
“We want coffee to be fun and approachable, without compromising quality. We believe coffee brings people together,” Clark said.
Clark said he and his family have lived in Jacksonville for nine years, having relocated because of job transfers, “and then fell in love with the community.”
“We made the choice to stay and be a part of (it),” he said.
“We love the vibrant culture, history and beauty. We want to be a part of its growth.”
Biggby area representative Randy Frank said previously by email the Clarks will “grow the brand in Jax.”
Biggbyfranchising.com says that since its founding in 1995, the franchise has grown to more than 300 locations across 13 states.
It is based in East Lansing, Michigan.
Clark said Biggby Coffee’s goal is to be “100% Farm-Direct by 2028, and currently (is) at 35%. We want to know the name, the face, and the place from which every gram of our coffee comes from.”