FRIDAY June 25, 2021
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
Kroger to create 180 jobs at Jacksonville delivery center
ABC building Baymeadows area car wash
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
The Orlando-based liquor-store chain is diversifying its business.
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
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The Kroger Co. leased space in North Jacksonville to create a grocery delivery “spoke” to the “hub” in Groveland, near Orlando.
THE MATHIS REPORT
The Ohio-based grocery giant’s CEO and chairman called its Florida expansion that includes Groveland and Tampa “a milestone moment.” BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. says it will open its grocery delivery operation in Jacksonville this month, although its website does not appear to accept orders yet from the area. The company said in a June 9 news release that the “spoke” location to its Groveland “hub” will employ about 180 employees. “Every citizen in Jacksonville should have access to affordable, healthy, and fresh foods,” Mayor Lenny Curry said in the release. “We welcome Kroger into our community
and are very encouraged that this delivery service will fill an important gap for people who don’t have easy access to groceries.” Kroger Logistics has posted job openings for Jacksonville that include human resources, transportation and drivers. That means one of the largest retailers in the world, with overall 2020 sales of $132.5 billion, is entering the state and area grocery business without a Kroger-branded storefront. While Kroger products will be available for delivery, its only area store presence is a Harris Teeter in Nassau County. Kroger sold its interest in Lucky’s Market before that chain filed for bankruptcy. Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said June 17 in the company’s first-quarter earnings conference call with analysts the company opened its first facility powered by SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Think of it as a new variety of bubbly. Orlando-based ABC Liquors Inc. is preparing a new venture in Jacksonville – an automated car wash in Baymeadows. The city is reviewing a permit application for R.D. Michaels Inc. of Winter Park to rebuild the former ABC Fine Wine & Spirits site at 8771 Baymeadows Road with a 1,595-square-foot car wash and vacuuming stalls at a cost of $1.34 million. The city determined in October that no mobility fee needs to be calculated for the project on 1.52 acres. The Jacksonville Planning Commission approved a zoning exception. The existing 7,582-squarefoot liquor store, built in 1976 for Jax Liquors, would be demolished, plans show. ABC bought Jax Liquors in 1990. The Orlando Sentinel reported June 23 that the liquor-store chain is evaluating locations for car washes. It reported that Chief Marketing Officer Sean Kelly said the business name is Tux Car Wash, but that ABC is finalizing details . “This is another way for us to diversify our business,” Kelly told the newspaper. “At ABC, we are always seeking new opportunities and ways to cater to our communities.” He said family-owned ABC has 123 stores in Florida and continues to open two to four stores a year.
KMATHIS@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
La Esperanza Apartments sell for $21M The La Esperanza Apartments at 3800 University Blvd. S. sold for $21 million to Tuscon, Arizona-based Wildcat Group. CBRE’s Cliff Taylor, Joe Ayers, Michael Regan and Francesco Carriera represented the seller, Reno, Nevada-based JAX Esperanza LLC, in the transaction. The 232-unit complex, built in 1972, last sold for $4.9 million in 2013. The buyer plans to renovate the property. Monthly rents range from $837 to $1,345 for the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
VOLUME 108, NO. 156 • ONE SECTION