Daily Record Financial News &
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 117 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Chophouse work to start in May
By David Chapman Staff Writer After years of emptiness, there’s life in the Bostwick Building. The familiar jaguar-painted windows for now are covered by black-and-white displays teasing the elusive “cowfish” and a glimpse of what’s to come in summer 2016. It will be the Cowford Chophouse, a high-end steak and seafood restaurant and rooftop lounge Downtown advocates are hoping is an integral part of the area’s comeback. It’s a revitalization that started
before the chophouse idea came onto the scene, said Jacques Klempf, lead partner in the business venture. Still, he acknowledged Tuesday morning the pursuit was a “leap of faith.” Klempf and business partner Fraser Burns were among those on hand for the celebration, of sorts, a way to recognize the patience and effort needed to make it this far. Exterior work will start in May after the group received its certificate of appropriateness last week. The news conference also served as the chance to announce the Klempf group’s new name, Forking Amazing Restaurants,
comprising the chophouse, Ovinte at the St. Johns Town Center and Bistro Aix in San Marco. The building is the first renovation project overseen by the Downtown Investment Authority. The group purchased the building via auction for more than $165,000 in July, months after the city foreclosed on the structure. The group had tried to buy the building from the Bostwick family for much of 2013, but those negotiations fell through. Overall, the more than $6 million venture will create 50-plus jobs when it opens. Chophouse... Cont inued on Page A-3
Photo by Max Marbut
Bostwick Building gets new life
Cowford Chophouse partner Jacques Klempf, left, and Mayor Alvin Brown at this morning’s update on the new restaurant.
Changing lives through yoga MJD had
impact off field, too
Retiring Jones-Drew focused efforts on kids
Gabrielle Woodcock and her 5-month-old daughter, Nora, took a class Monday taught by Yoga 4 Change instructor Angelica O’Shea.
Photo by Max Marbut
By David Chapman Staff Writer Maurice Jones-Drew had many accomplishments in his football career. The 100-yard games, often making something out what appeared to be nothing. An NFL rushing title in 2011. A knee-buckling block that led highlight reels. But beyond the gridiron, the longtime Jacksonville Jaguar made moves out of the limelight that put smiles on faces across the community. Jones-Drew was a regular at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, especially during the latter portion of his Jacksonville career. He’d visit dozens of children facing battles that made the toughest Sunday matchup seem minuscule. And without the cameras there to witness. “He’d arrange to say no media,” said Michael Aubin, Wolfson president. “You’re Jones-Drew... Continued on Page A-4
“I used to hunt submarines. Now, I teach yoga.” Kathryn Thomas Former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and founder of Yoga 4 Change
Public
By Max Marbut Staff Writer One Spark changed everything. That’s how Kathryn Thomas, founder and executive director of Yoga 4 Change, describes what happened this month at the crowdfunding festival. Her year-old nonprofit that provides yoga classes to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them received more than $32,000 in cash awards and crowdfunding contributions at the conclusion of One Spark. Yoga 4 Change earned the most prize money
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and funding in the three-year history of the festival. “Our idea was validated,” Thomas said. A former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, Thomas sustained a non-combat injury. She discovered yoga four years ago as an adjunct to her physical therapy prior to her medical discharge. That led to her inspiration that yoga can change lives. She founded Yoga 4 Change in March 2014 with the mission to take yoga to people who aren’t traditional yoga students. Thomas and about 15 volunteer instructors teach classes to Yoga... Continued on Page A-2
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Photo provided by Jacksonville Jaguars
Winning big at One Spark validates idea
Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew high-fives a young fan during a backpack drive.
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