Five months after announcing it was leaving Downtown, Jacksonville retailer Wolf & Cub is planning a rebirth in the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District.
In a July 17 release, Wolf & Cub said it would open in the Phoenix district’s Liberty Building in the fourth quarter of 2025, which begins in October.
“The Liberty Building is more than just a retail space — it’s a destination,” said Emily Moody, co-owner of Wolf & Cub, in the release.
“Being part of the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District aligns with everything we value: creativity, community, and collaboration. We’re honored to grow alongside so many talented entrepreneurs in a space that celebrates Jacksonville’s cultural and economic revival.”
Wolf & Cub, which sells vintage and modern apparel and accessories, announced in February 2025 it was moving out of its Downtown location at 205 N. Laura St. The store had been Downtown since mid-2016.
Images accompanying the release show signage for “The New Den” of Wolf & Cub in the renovated brick Liberty Building, with displays of clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, coffee and mugs, and other household items.
The Phoenix district comprises 8.3 acres in North Springfield where several early 20th-century industrial buildings are being adapted for modern use. The first renovated building, the 17,000-square-foot Emerald Station, opened in October 2024 with a 10,000-square-foot event space, offices, meeting rooms and a catering kitchen.
The Liberty Building will house 17,850 square feet of affordable artist studios, galleries, small-format retail and restaurants. Naked Kitchen, a restaurant with plant-based and protein options and the motto “Cooking with Conscience,” was the first food and beverage concept to enter a lease agreement in the Liberty Building.
Tony Cho, CEO and founder of Future of Cities, is the principal of the Phoenix district. In the release, he said supporting business like Wolf & Cub “is essential to creating a thriving, resilient local economy.”
“Future of Cities is proud to uplift small business owners and visionary entrepreneurs like Emily and Varick (Rosete, Wolf & Cub co-founder) who are helping to realize Mayor (Donna) Deegan’s bold vision of Jacksonville becoming the small business capital of the Southeast. The Liberty Building and the broader Phoenix District are designed to be catalytic spaces for exactly this kind of innovation and community-driven commerce.”
Fully developed, the Phoenix district would include new construction and renovation with up to 660 mixed-income apartment development, a grocer and 1.2 million square feet of built area. Cho said total investment could reach $500 million.
The North Springfield site is bounded by Main, 15th and Liberty streets and a rail line, with three parcels south of the line.