The Downtown Investment Authority is considering $132,662 in city incentives for a jazz club planning to move from San Marco back to Downtown.
Breezy Jazz House, at 1402 San Marco Blvd., is seeking the funding to relocate to 337 E. Bay St. The request is scheduled before the DIA board Sept. 17.
According to a DIA term sheet, the club plans to use the funding toward renovating the Bay Street space at an expected cost of $301,736.
The grant would be structured as a forgivable, no-interest loan that will be amortized at 20% annually for five years, provided the jazz club remains in business in the Downtown location through that period. The funding would be provided under the DIA’s Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program.
DIA staff reported that the jazz club, owned by Thea Jeffers, opened on East Adams Street in 2016 before moving to San Marco.
Designs attached to the DIA staff report show a bar and dining space, stage, kitchen, bathrooms and an office in the Bay Street property. Breezy’s will occupy 3,649 square feet.
The club is planned on the first floor of 337 E. Bay St., a two-story building, amid a block of entertainment and dining. Breezy Jazz House will join such establishments as Myth Nightclub, Element bistro + bar, Decca Live and Lettuce Eat.
Keane’s Irish Pub and Besa Bakery and Tea Room Speakeasy also are planned in the block and have been granted DIA incentives, with $200,000 for the pub project and $215,000 for the bakery.
Breezy Jazz Club LLC and Liberty and Bay Properties LLC were co-applicants for the incentive. State records show the address of Liberty and Bay Properties LLC as 333 E. Bay St., the site of Myth Nightclub, and list the resident agent as Jon Mroz.
The DIA staff report states that the building at 327-345 E. Bay St., was built in 1909 and was designated as a local landmark in 2022. It was purchased by the current ownership group in 2020 through 327 E Bay LLC.
The jazz club plans to retain its two full-time, management-level employees and its 10 part-time staff members from its San Marco location, in addition to more hires for its Downtown location, the report says.
The club plans to sell shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, crab bites, cheesesteaks and more on its menu. It will target local music enthusiasts, tourists and visitors, and college students and young professionals, according to the staff report.
“Consumers are prioritizing experiences over material goods, leading to a surge in demand for engaging and memorable entertainment options,” the report reads.
“(Breezy ownership’s) research shows that there is a growing trend where audiences are increasingly supporting local live music venues over larger concert events.”
Hours are listed as 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The DIA meeting starts at 2 p.m at the main Jacksonville Public Library, 303 N. Laura St.