Daily Record Financial News &
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Vol. 103, No. 163 • Three Sections
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Venue ‘as impressive as it can be’
A view of the Jacksonville Jaguars covered practice field from EverBank Field Drive.
Voters to have say on slots in November
Rendering from the Jacksonville Jaguars
Work underway on amphitheater, flex field By Memorial Day, and likely “well in advance,” Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping expects performances to kick off at the amphitheater planned outside the south end zone of EverBank Field. Toward that goal, civil engineering and landscape plans dated Friday were filed with the city. Lamping said work has begun on the amphitheater and adjacent practice field, with a ceremonial groundbreaking expected in mid-July. Lamping likens the amphitheater to the size of Radio City
Music Hall in New York City. “If you’ve been there and if you think that’s an intimate theater and a great place to see a show, then we’re going to give you something that’s going to replicate it,” he said. “If you think it’s a terrible theater, then welcome to your worst nightmare I guess,” he joked last
week with the Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association. The Jacksonville amphitheater will offer 3,500 fixed seats at ground level and two balconies of 1,000 seats each. With standing room for performances that bring folks to their feet, capacity will reach just more than 6,000, Lamping said. He said it will be under cover, while the sides are open. Civil engineer England, Thims & Miller submitted the plans, designed on 9.3 acres along EverBank Field Drive. A formal Mathis continued on Page A-2
Council also approves Engine 15 brewery
Public
A balcony overlooks the kitchen at Sweet Pete’s in the former Seminole Club so children on field trips can watch the candy being made.
Who wouldn’ t want ’ to make candy? ’
A sales tax extension won’t be the only big-money issue for voters to decide in the next few months. City Council on Tuesday decided to let voters make a decision on whether slot machines should come to Duval County. Doyle Carter was the lone opposition for the vote, which had no discussion by members. It’s a move that has officials with the city and bestbet Jacksonville poker room seeing dollar signs. Up to 2,000 slot machines could be installed at the Arlington facility –– the only eligible facility in the county –– with 1.5 percent of the game’s gross revenue going to the city. An economic impact estimate provided by Committees advocates of expanding selected for the gaming shows $5.7 going to the city 2016-17. million annually. In addition, it Page A-4 would add 1,500 direct jobs, 1,300 indirect jobs and $123 million in annual payroll to the area. For gaming officials like Howard Korman, CEO of Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, it would mean millions more in revenue. However, the council vote is just a start. Voters must still approve it in the November general election that should have a turnout closing in on 90 percent. Maybe more importantly, the state Supreme Court would have to side with Gadsden County to allow slot machines there. Gadsden successfully passed a referendum after the Legislature amended the law in 2009, but a state department denied the application. Brevard, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington counties are others that have passed similar ballot initiatives and await a court decision. Broward and Dade Council continued on Page A-4
Photos by Max Marbut
By David Chapman Staff Writer
Store is big Downtown attraction
By Max Marbut Staff Writer
Sweet Pete’s owner Peter Behringer places color bands on the lollipop base before it goes into the roller. See the process of making lollipops on Page A-7.
legal notices begin on page
B-1
They do it the old-fashioned way. The really old-fashioned way. When Peter Behringer and his helpers go to work each day at Sweet Pete’s, they make a variety of candies using techniques that haven’t changed for hundreds of years. They turn the simplest of raw ingredients — sugar, butter, flavorings and sometimes chocolate — into more than 1,000 different candies and other confections. Candy has been a part of Behringer’s life for a long time. In 1985, he was 11 years old when his mother founded Peterbrooke Chocolatier,
Published
for
named after Behringer and his sister. “I grew up in a chocolate store. There’s no substitute for learning on the job,” he said. In 2010, Behringer struck out on his own and opened Sweet Pete’s in Springfield. After he appeared on the reality TV show “The Profit” in 2014, entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis got involved. Soon, Behringer moved from his small shop into the former Seminole Club Downtown along Hogan Street after transforming the 23,000-square-foot historic building into what he calls a “confectionary emporium.” It’s one of the largest candy stores in the country. Workspace continued on Page A-7
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