Work continues to convert Downtown’s closed Burger King into GŪD Essence, a cannabis products retailer from Miami that intends to expand in the state, opening in Jacksonville in April.
With an interior demolition permit issued Sept. 5, the city is reviewing three permits for an estimated $350,000 interior build-out, a $48,861 electrical permit and a $35,000 landscape project.
S.R. Construction Services LLC of Palm City is the contractor for the construction and landscape work. Willard & Sons Electric Inc. of St. Augustine is the electrical contractor.
The Sept. 5 permit was for “interior exploratory demolition only” of the roughly 4,000-square-foot building at 210 E. State St. at a project cost of $29,000.
The renovation permit says 3,837 square feet of interior space is in review.
Those permits total a project cost of $462,861.
Plans identify Miami-based GŪD Essence as the tenant.
State Outparcel LLC of Orlando, led by Alakai Capital, is the property owner.
Codes-ABC Inc. of Orange Park is the private plan reviewer. RAW Architecture + Design of Fort Lauderdale is the architect.
“The Downtown Jacksonville site gives us the opportunity to revitalize an existing building and bring new life to the urban core. We see downtown as a growing, dynamic community, and we want our first Northeast Florida dispensary to reflect that energy and accessibility,” said GŪD Essence CEO Jasmine Johnson by email Sept. 24.
She said GŪD Essence is a cannabis and wellness brand “dedicated to cultivating premium products and meaningful community experiences.”
Orlando-based Alakai Capital bought the Downtown block that was the home of Burger King for $1.5 million on June 2. Including the issued and pending permits, the total investment is almost $2 million.
The site is bounded by State, Market, Union and Newnan streets.
Alakai Capital Principal Nick Jones said Sept. 26 that Jacksonville differs from other Florida cities in that there is opportunity, energy and movement Downtown.
The site is not far from the Gateway Jax residential and retail Pearl Square development as well as near Eastside, Springfield, the Sports & Entertainment District and other neighborhoods and projects.
Jones said the Brooklyn area of Downtown and the Riverwalk extensions also are examples of progress.
“Downtown is incredible right now with growth and the number of players and projects going forward,” Jones said.
Jones said GŪD Essence likes being Downtown close to residents, such as those expected in the Gateway Jax apartments planned and under construction.
Johnson said in September the near-term plan is to open four flagship dispensaries in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando. Tampa remains part of the plans but will open later.
That has expanded by at least one city The GUDessence.com site shows a location is open in Clearwater, with sites opening in January in Miami; Titusville in March; and Jacksonville and Orlando in April.
The goal is to reach at least 20 dispensaries statewide over the next two years, with all openings subject to regulatory approvals and permitting, Johnson said in September
She said Jacksonville will serve as GŪD Essence’s Northeast Florida flagship.
About GŪD Essence
The Gudessence.com site says the brand “provides premium cannabis products and wellness experiences — thoughtfully crafted to educate, empower, and elevate the Florida community.”
The site says that the brand, formerly known as Green Essence Florida, became GŪD Essence “after eight years of grit, purpose, and preparation.”
It explains that the “Ū” in GŪD Essence “symbolizes the intention behind everything we do.”
“We are a Florida-grown, Black-led medical cannabis company that believes healing should be holistic, access should be equitable, and the cannabis industry should reflect the very people it was built upon,” it says.
“Our commitment to compassion, authenticity, and wellness is at the heart of every decision we make, from our cultivation practices to our retail experience.”
Green Essence and GŪD Essence are led by Jasmine Shay Johnson and John Henry Johnson Jr.
Alakai buys Burger King building
The Burger King restaurant, built on almost 1.6 acres in 1985, closed in October 2023 after more than 38 years.
Alakai bought it through State Outparcel LLC from Miami-based Burger King Company LLC.
“Years ago when we first invested in Jacksonville we heard the stories of the growth in the urban core. We heard about some of the most exciting developments in Florida: the Four Seasons Resort, $1B Gateway Jax, and the $1.4B Jaguars stadium redevelopment. I wanted to be a part of all this growth, but didn’t have a way in,” Jones wrote on LinkedIn on June 5.
“Today we acquired a full city block in Downtown Jacksonville, after years of sifting through opportunities. For us this isn’t just an investment, it’s an opportunity to join the momentum of downtown that’s being redefined right now.”
The Alakai-capital.com website shows it with 31 properties, mostly in Central Florida. It says it has more than 850,000 square feet of property under management.
It is the second former Burger King that Alakai has bought in Jacksonville.
In December 2024, Alakai bought the 1.4-acre restaurant site at 10142 Philips Highway for $1.65 million.
In March 2023, the company paid $4.6 million for property at Park and King streets, the corner anchored by Don Eduardo Cocina Mexicana.
The Alakai Capital website shows it has sold properties in the area.
Jones said Alakai is interested in more retail and industrial property in Jacksonville.
“We like to stay around the urban area but the neighborhoods around it, also. There’s a lot of opportunity in Jacksonville,” he said.