More food options are coming for travelers who’ve passed through security at Jacksonville International Airport.
One is Jacksonville-based Firehouse Subs, which will join Auntie Anne’s Pretzels to replace Quiznos and Freshens.
The city is reviewing a permit to demolish the existing food service areas to remodel for Firehouse Subs and Auntie Anne’s.
Firehouse Subs spokeswoman Liz Anderson said Thursday that she didn’t have full details other than that it’s part of company’s strategy for new markets.
“As part of Firehouse Subs’ brand development plans, we will be expanding into non-traditional locations such as airports, military bases and college campuses, as well as additional international markets that will drive the brand’s growth in 2017,” she said by email.
Firehouse Subs has opened more than 1,060 restaurants across 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.
This year’s U.S. expansion plans are focused in the Northeast and on the West Coast and with continued international expansion into Canada and Mexico.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority contracts with restaurant operator Host International Inc., HMSHost, which deals with the brands.
JAA anticipates Quiznos and Freshens will close May 5 and the new tenants will open by June 30.
According to the authority, the new concepts are part of the “midterm refurbishment” period included in the 2007-22 contract.
On Monday, JAA, HMSHost and the PGA Tour will hold a grand opening for the PGA Tour Grill in Concourse C at JIA. Representatives will mark the opening with a ceremonial “first putt.” It will replace the Budweiser Bar & Grill.
PGA Tour Grill’s motto is “Eat Smarter, Play Harder.”
PGA Tour Grill focuses on healthy eating for active lifestyles. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports globally and about 100 motorway travel plazas in the U.S.
CBRE Group takes over leasing at Wells Fargo Center
CBRE Group Inc. said Thursday senior vice presidents Lou Nutter and Kaycee Gardner are taking over the leasing for Wells Fargo Center Downtown at 1 Independent Drive.
CBRE said building owner Banyan Street Capital had been handling the leasing in-house.
Wells Fargo Center is a 37-story, 648,307-square-foot office tower that opened in 1975.
Current tenants include Wells Fargo, Regency Centers’ corporate headquarters, Foley & Lardner LLP, the IRS, The River Club, and legal and financial companies.
Gardner said the team was looking forward to making improvements to the building to attract the younger workforce that is gravitating toward Jacksonville.
“The lobby will be renovated to include collaboration areas with Wi-Fi access and possibly adding a game room and fitness center to give an energetic and dynamic feeling when you walk in. We want to create a great experience for our tenants,” she said.
Wells Fargo Center’s amenities include the private River Club on the 34th and 35th floors of the building, the Atrium Cafe & Grill on the ground floor, a 350-seat auditorium, and retail stores in the four-story atrium lobby.
The building is currently 82 percent occupied. Available space includes a 40,000-square-foot space on the second floor with sloping windows and floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the atrium.
CBRE said that space was good for tech or creative users.
First Watch will build-out soon at Brooklyn Station
First Watch, The Daytime Café, is on the way to Brooklyn Station on Riverside.
A permit application shows a $300,000 renovation of the former Corner Bakery Café at 192 Riverside Ave.
Work includes new interior partitions; electrical, heating, air and mechanical systems; new commercial kitchen equipment; and new interior finishes and furniture.
First Watch said in March it would open the café in the fall after a complete renovation of the 4,000-square-foot building.
Tossgreen coming to SunTrust Tower
Renovations were OK’d for Tossgreen at SunTrust Tower Downtown at 76 S. Laura St.
Jo En Construction Inc. will renovate the 1,573-square-foot space on the ground floor at a construction cost of $40,000.
Tossgreen is a Jacksonville-based fast-casual restaurant that focuses on salads and other healthy food.
Traci Jenks, senior director of office brokerage for Cushman & Wakefield, said when the lease was signed that the restaurant will offer breakfast and lunch.
Tossgreen sells salads, wraps, pitas, bowls and burritos featuring organic, local and seasonal ingredients. It offers signature selections or customers can build their own.
It also has locations at St. Johns Town Center and off Southside Boulevard in the Tinseltown area.
Development notes
• The city approved the almost $1.15 million third phase of renovations for Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville. The first two phases expanded the building. The final phase comprises renovations that include a learning center that will encourage patients and their siblings to explore art, science, math and other materials and activities. The organization houses families while their children receive medical care in the area for treatment of trauma, cancer, cardiac conditions and other specialty pediatric diagnoses. It is at 824 Children’s Way.
• Hobby Lobby, the first retailer to confirm a site at The Strand at Town Center, landed a permit for construction of its 55,000-square-foot store at 4972 Town Center Parkway, No. 200. When it confirmed the store in November 2015, it said it would open in mid-2017.
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