The Christmas tree is up and the shoppers are out at St. Johns Town Center, the shopping heart of Northeast Florida, which continues to evolve with new stores, restaurants and experiences as it marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Here’s our look at what’s new and what’s moved the past year.
The Gorjana women’s jewelry store is open between the Chico’s clothing retailer and the Vow’d wedding and bridesmaid dress location.
The space is at 4712 River City Drive, Suite J08. Gorjana, pronounced “gor-yana,” took the space of the Everything But Water women’s resort wear shop.
Gorjana sells necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, charms and accessories.
Sunglasses retailer Oakley is open in its new space at 4751 River City Drive, Unit 113, between Chico’s and Lucky Brand Jeans in the strip of stores anchored on one end by Warby Parker and the other by Altar’d State.
The space previously was the Francesca’s women’s clothing store.
It is the only Oakley in Northeast Florida.
Komma Tea & Natural Handmade Dessert is open at 10281 Midtown Parkway, Unit 121, between Fresh Mex & Co. and Jones & Rose.
The strip of stores is anchored by P.F. Chang’s.
The space previously was the NIU Jacksonville scooter store. Komma Tea’s menu includes milk teas, refreshers and freshly baked macarons in 12 flavors. The macarons are also called “Kommacaron.”
Pinstripes, the indoor bowling alley, restaurant and entertainment center, is not opening at the center.
Pinstripes Holdings Inc., which had been planning a venue at 10274 Buckhead Branch Drive near Nordstrom, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Sept. 8 and said in court filings it is abandoning the Jacksonville property.
A grassed lot remains where the restaurant was planned. West Elm was demolished on the site.
Brazilian-style swim, beach and resort wear brand ViX Paula Hermanny opened in October between Gucci and Madewell.
The shop, at 4813 River City Drive, No. 137, was founded by designer Paula Hermanny and offers swimwear, dresses and accessories.
“ViX Paula Hermanny brings a sense of global coastal luxury that resonates with our shoppers’ everyday style and vacation mindset,” said Carrie Hanlon, director of marketing and business development at the St. Johns Town Center, in a news release.
St. Johns Town Center is working on a project to add 71 spaces on about an acre of vacant land at 4831 Village Shops Way.
The lot is east behind the Lululemon sportswear store and connects paved lots between RH – formerly known as Restoration Hardware - and Dick’s Sporting Goods. On Nov. 10, the area remained a grassed lot with no visible activity.
Game Show Battle Rooms is open at 4720 Town Crossing Drive, Suite 131, between Jos. A Bank and Playa Bowls.
The activity experience venue is designed for groups of friends, family, clubs and employees to “join us for a high-energy, immersive kind of party.”
Two arenas offer Primetime and Classic games with a host directing the action. The space previously was Zula Surf Co.
The sign is up in the window for Burlington at the closed Joann Inc. fabric and craft store, but the transformation is still in progress.
The store is at 10261 River Marsh Drive, Suite 149, at the north end of the shopping center between Ross and Lane Bryant.
Burlington Stores Inc., headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey, is a national off-price retailer of clothing, home décor and other merchandise.
The city issued a permit Nov. 25 for the $1.65 million conversion.
All Joann Inc. fabric and crafts stores shut down this year after the company auctioned its assets Feb. 21.
Mango, a European clothing brand, opened in September at 4663 River City Drive, Suite 113, in the building north of the Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant.
Furniture Source vacated the space to relocate to the Atlantic North shopping center in East Arlington. Founded in 1984 in Barcelona, Spain, Mango sells clothing and accessories for women and men.
“Mango expands the center’s range of international options, offering a fresh perspective for shoppers looking to elevate their style,” said Carrie Hanlon, director of marketing and business development at the St. Johns Town Center, in a news release.
Aroma360, which provides scenting services for homes, businesses and cars, is open in the Nordstrom courtyard at 4818 River City Drive, Unit 101.
Calling itself a luxury scenting service, the retailer says it specializes in ambient scenting solutions and creates customized fragrances for all sizes of space.
Aroma360 sells room scent and car diffusers as well as portable Wireless Pro devices. It sells stand-alone scenting and HVAC installation.
Faherty, a family-owned lifestyle brand that sells men’s, women’s and children’s casual clothing that says “softness is our signature,” opened in October.
The store is at 4812 River City Drive, Unit 121, between Brooks Brothers and Marc Jacobs.
Faherty says it “offers an inspired selection, from soft-washed button-downs and vintage‑inspired tees to all-season layers and eco-conscious swimwear, all designed for effortless style and enduring comfort.”
Twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty founded the company in 2013.