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CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: YOUR INSIGHT
The push to bring GOP convention to Duval
Hoby’sDaily Honey Record rallies back Daily Record after slide Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
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Republican Party of Duval County Chair Dean Black says the effort was underway for weeks. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Owner Ryan Hoback boosts online marketing, sees shift in products customers are buying and is now “60-70% of the way back.”
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BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Ryan Hoback said the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed his business, Hoby’s Honey & General Store, in sustainable ways. Hoby’s, started in 2011, sells honey, sauces, relishes, jams, jellies, candy, teas, spices, crafts and more. The Mandarin business has been at its current location since April 2018 and nearby for several years prior. It started as a produce stand in the Mandarin South shopping center. Sales dropped by half – wholesale sales to hotels and restaurants completely – when the pandemic shutdowns started in mid-March but have since leveled off. From the start, foot traffic stumbled at his location in the Gates of Olde Mandarin shopping center at 11362 San Jose Blvd. SEE HOBACK, PAGE 2
KEEPING CLOSE – FROM A DISTANCE On May 4, the state began a phased reopening of some businesses shut down to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Daily Record is reporting on small businesses as they confront the challenges of social distancing and financial hardships brought on by the pandemic and its aftermath.
Special to the Daily Record
Ryan Hoback said sales recovered by 60-70% from the pandemic at his Hoby’s Honey & General Store in Mandarin.
As Republican Party of Duval County Chair Dean Black waited June 11 to hear if local party officials efforts to secure the Aug. 24-27 Republican National Convention for Jacksonville were successful, he knew the announcement would come from “higher command.” Black expected the word to come from President Donald Trump himself or Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel. Hosting the 2020 presidential nominating Black convention is an idea local Republicans officials have been pushing for weeks. Black said Mayor Lenny Curry and administration officials made “direct contact” with national party leaders in their bid to bring the RNC to Jacksonville, while the Duval GOP focused on drawing attention to what Black called “enthusiastic support” of local Republicans to make the case for hosting the RNC. Black said when it became apparent that the original host, Charlotte, North Carolina, was not likely to be the RNC’s 2020 venue, the Duval GOP created the social media #rnctojax campaign. Curry tweeted his support for the idea May 26, offering Downtown’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena as a site. Curry and Florida SEE GOP, PAGE 2
Vote on courthouse plaza art is pushed back The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s Art in Public Places Committee chose June 10 not to decide how to proceed with the plaza art project at the Duval County Courthouse until its next meeting, scheduled July 8. Committee members were unanimous in concerns about restrictions placed on the project by city agencies, including the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Public Works Department and the Downtown Investment Authority. The possible restoration of Monroe Street is another issue raising concerns. “This needs to be addressed by the city before we vote on this,” committee Chair Cory Driscoll said.
VOLUME 107, NO. 147 • ONE SECTION