As Starbucks Coffee Co. prepares to build-out a shop Downtown, the city is reviewing permits for its signage.
Sign Pros of Florida LLC of Jacksonville is listed as the contractor for the three sign permits in review on the ground-floor exterior of the Bank of America Tower at 50 N. Laura St.
The two blade signs, which mount on the building side and hang over the sidewalk, and a sign for the “Starbucks” letters are shown on the plans for the three permits in review at an estimated project cost of $2,000.
The city issued a permit Dec. 26, 2025, for Starbucks to build-out 2,225 square feet of space at a project cost of $469,050 on the ground floor of the building’s southeast corner.
A gift shop and most recently an art gallery, The Creative Exchange, leased the space.
The tenant improvement in Unit 150 comprises construction of a Starbucks Coffee cafe on the first floor within an existing business shell. It will include electrical, plumbing and mechanical modifications; interior partitions and equipment; and modification of the existing storefront for new steps with a railing.
Plans indicate an interior entrance from the 42-story tower’s lobby as well as an exterior entrance into Starbucks from the south-facing side of the tower.
The incentives
The tenant is Starbucks Jax LLC, led by Jeremy Roberts of Orlando.
Roberts, who would operate the Starbucks-licensed store, applied for city incentives that were approved Oct. 15, 2025, by the Downtown Investment Authority board.
The board approved $133,200 in two grants.
The bulk of the incentive package is a $118,200 loan through the DIA’s Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program. The incentive will be structured as a forgivable, no-interest loan that will amortize at the rate of 20% on each anniversary date of the closing for five years, as long as the business remains open.
The remaining $15,000 was awarded as a Sidewalk Enhancement Grant.
The licensed Starbucks would have most of the same requirements as a corporate-owned Starbucks. That includes training, branding and available products.
A DIA staff report said the shop would offer a typical Starbucks menu, including standard drip coffee and espresso-based drinks, Frappuccinos, hot and iced teas, croissants, bagels, pastries, lunch sandwiches, protein boxes, snacks and treats like cookies and cake pops.
The report said hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and for special events only on Sunday.
It said the store plans to create a new entryway into Starbucks directly from the street, covered partially by the $15,000 Sidewalk Enhancement Grant. It will also place branded tables and chairs outside the Bank of America Tower on the sidewalk.
The report said Roberts was awarded a five-store special license agreement from Starbucks in 2024.