George Saoud is opening a second event space, this time across the river in San Marco.
Cady Club at 1015 Kings Ave. serves coffee, beer and wine, pastries and light snacks. It opens to all on May 1.
Saoud also owns The Lark, an event space at 229 N. Hogan St. Downtown on the Northbank.
“The two venues are sisters, but they aren’t twins,” Saoud said.
“The intent is to build a social hub on the Southbank.”
The moniker Cady Club pays homage to the Cady Building, which was a photography studio. It was built in 1930.
Saoud did some exterior work to give the building a more modern look. He estimated that it cost about $400,000 to open.
He bought the building in 2021 for $905,000.
It doesn’t have a dedicated parking lot, but Saoud pointed to ample street parking and spaces under the nearby Interstate 95 overpass.
In addition, he expects many of his customers to walk from the nearby apartments and offices that exist or are being planned.
“There are apartment units, condo units, in walking distance to us. We also have in development RiversEdge down the street, which is going to be another 1,000 units or more. So the walkability factor is significant. Aside from that, there are numerous hospital systems in walking distance to us and all the office buildings,” he said.
Cady Club will serve Bold Bean coffee products exclusively.
At one time, Bold Bean had a coffee shop in San Marco. It closed that location in 2021 when its lease expired.
Besides enjoying the product, Saoud wanted to partner with a local roaster.
“I think a lot of the residents in the area miss having immediate access to Bold Bean coffee, so we are bringing it back,” he said.
Cady Club is two stories totalling 9,300 square feet. The coffee shop and bar area inside is to the right. It is open with seating against the walls.
An adjoining room is unfinished. Saoud wants to see how the building evolves before committing to a specific use for that space.
The upstairs will be used as the primary event space. It can accommodate gatherings including weddings, birthdays, family reunions and corporate events. If someone wants, the entire building can be rented. Space has already been rented for future events.
Last year, The Lark hosted around 100 events.
Saoud is a former Downtown Investment Authority board member. His time with the DIA encouraged his belief in Downtown’s potential.
“I believe that the city is growing like crazy. Downtown is hotter than it’s ever been with development. I mean, on both sides of the river, and I think we’re in a prime spot.”
This is Jacksonville’s time, the 43-year-old native said.
“In Florida, I think every other city has been built out and priced out, and I believe that we are now getting the attention that the city has always deserved to have from outside investors and an influx of population,” he said.
“I’m an urbanist. I believe that people want to live in an urban core and be part of an urban community. It’s been here all along, but I think now things are kind of just clicking together for it to really go.”
There will be three full-time employees and about 12 part-time workers to start.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. It is closed on Monday.