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Table of Contents
That Poor Girl Vintage ThatPoorGirl.Com
Ray Ware Hardware
1504 King St., Riverside 525-0490
PG. 4
Black Creek Outfitters PG. 7
Anthony’s et al Spa & Salon PG. 8
Native Sun Jacksonville PG. 11
Advertiser Directory PGs. 12-13
Players by the Sea Theatre PG. 15
Riverside Arts Market PG. 16
ZenCog Bicycle Company PG. 19
Dance Trance Fitness PG. 21
Simply Wine Jax PG. 23
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The team at Ray Ware Hardware knows how to meet your needs with style and precision.
Left to Right: Vonda Walker, Karah Juergens, Jason Kuder, Barbara Denny, Dennis Miller
Premium Hardware with Expert Service RAY WARE HARDWARE 4048 Herschel St., Avondale 904.389.6659 • RayWare.com ________________________________________
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ay Ware Hardware, a fourth generation family business specializing in decorative cabinet and door hardware, is moving into new territory: decorative plumbing fixtures. “We felt the time was right for us to expand,” said Ray Ware President Jason Kuder. “It’s been something we’ve been wanting to get involved in for a long time and we finally have all the pieces in place.” Adding premium plumbing fixtures that include bathroom and kitchen faucets, sinks, and toilets, now allows Ray Ware customers to rely on one supplier to help them with all their Decorative Hardware, plumbing and lighting needs. Regardless the product, Ray Ware’s longstanding success can be attributed to their highly experienced staff, including Showroom Manager, Vonda Walker, who has 28 years of hardware and fixture experience. “When anyone walks through the door, our selections can be overwhelming so we walk them through the process from A to Z to find out exactly what they want and how we can fill their needs,” says Walker. “We are a friendly, customer-oriented staff and I they can definitely see the difference.”
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Having watched his father operate the business from a young age, Kuder understands who his customers are and how to accommodate them. “We don’t expect somebody who’s coming in to purchase something for their home to be knowledgeable about the industry,” he says. “Our job is to help point them in the right direction so they leave completely satisfied with their purchase.” That kind of service is reflected in Ray Ware’s customers. “We get a lot of repeat business from customers and we’re competitive with the Internet,” says Kuder. “We have to be.” While their Ortega location makes it a perfect place for the local homeowner to get high quality fixtures, Ray Ware’s business isn’t just confined to Northeast Florida. Generations of business means good relationships with contractors working on projects across the country. Whether it’s for the local shopper looking to jumpstart a DIY home improvement project, or a regional contractor seeking out doors, frames and hardware for contract, the folks at Ray Ware know even the smallest detail can make the biggest difference. “We have a huge section of cabinet knobs,” says Kuder proudly, “probably the best selection in the Southeast.”
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Outdoor Gear & Apparel that’s an Adventure BLACK CREEK OUTFITTERS Matt Hite, Paddle Sports Manager 10051 Skinner Lake Dr., Southside 904.645.7003 • BlackCreekOutfitters.com __________________________________________ Describe Black Creek Outfitters in your own words. We’re an outdoor outfitter store that has an emphasis on paddle sports. We provide high quality customer service and a positive experience; where we carry kayaks, paddle boards, outdoor sportswear and yoga apparel, hiking and camping gear, and many other fun outdoor products. What sets Black Creek Outfitters apart from other outdoor equipment stores? Besides our high quality products and customer service, we have an extremely knowledgeable staff who are, themselves, users of all this gear. In addition, the shop is located on a lake where you can try anything out! I don’t know any other stores that can provide that kind of service and experience. What are some of the best sellers at Black Creek?
Matt Hite
Hobie kayaks because of their efficient pedal-drive system — you can pedal hands free instead of paddle. Starboard and BIC SUP paddle boards because they are light, durable, and most importantly built with a quality construction. Clothing and foot wear like Olukai, Chaco, Outdoor Research, and Patagonia are a just few that stand out of the many brands we sell. Black Creek Outfitters doesn’t just sell gear, right? You teach classes, too? Yes, we do a lot of kayaking classes and even more with stand up paddle boarding. We have scheduled classes every weekend! Information on all our activities can be found our website.
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Owner Anthony LaRoche takes great pride in the magic performed in his salon.
Beauty is Art for These Expert Specialists ANTHONY’S Et. Al. EUROPEAN DAY SPA Anthony LaRoche, Owner 10092 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 6, Mandarin 904.398.9777 • anthonysetal.com __________________________________________ How do you differentiate your spa and salon from others? We have been in the industry for many years. With the customer service we offer, the education we provide our staff, and the aesthetics of our salon we are fortunate to be leaders with in our industry. Given all the options people have, why should they come to Anthony’s? We have the most experienced and highly trained staff with amazing customer service in an environment that’s quite pleasant. We offer mas-sages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, waxing and are a full service hair salon. It’s nice for our clients to be able to have a variety of things done in one place. That gives us an advantage over other places. Do you offer gift certificates for the holidays? Oh, yes; gift certificates are available in any amount. We do a lot of full days of beauty where you may come and spend the day, get a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, shampoo, blow dry and a light catered lunch. There are smaller packages; where clients may sample a some of our most popular services. We sell a lot of the Pick 2; you can get a 50-minute massage and facial, massage and manicure/ pedicure, or facial and manicure/pedicure. That package is $130 and is our No. 1 seller. 8 | SHOP LOCAL | NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Training your staff is a high priority? Yes, We believe that education is a key factor and essential for our success. How do you choose your staff? We typically hire the most promising students from our local schools and we further train them in-house. We look for motivated individuals with exceptional people skills and good work ethic. And you can personally ensure they’re top notch? Yes They work with me or one of our senior stylists at least 9 months to a year before we let them work on the floor. Over the years we have found that this system produces some of the finest hair stylists in our city. Do you require the staff to keep up their education? We bring in experts to work with our people at least once a month. At the start of each year, I meet with our product line reps and we plan a year of education that we think would be most beneficial to our staff. We’re sending one of our people to New York for training in some very advanced hair coloring techniques which will be passed on to other members of our team. Is it hard to get an appointment at Anthony’s? We have a large enough staff, so we are able to accommodate clients in a timely manner. How did your salon get to be so gorgeous? I’ve frequently employed excellent architects to design my salons. We’ve had some very forwardlooking places. I’ve always had a high standard for the aesthetics. That’s the business we’re in.
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Fresher Groceries Make for Healthier Eating NATIVE SUN 1585 N. Third St., Jax Beach • 458-1390 11030 Baymeadows Rd. • 260-2791 10000 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin • 260-6950 NativeSunJax.com __________________________________________
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ative Sun, Jacksonville’s homegrown natural grocer, recently opened their third location in Jacksonville Beach. Like its Baymeadows Road and San Jose Boulevard counterparts, the new store specializes in natural and organic food sourced from local vendors in and around Jacksonville. Native Sun attributes its longevity and success to its efforts to deliver food standards that go above and beyond what competitors are willing to do. Their goal is to bring uncompromised quality and flavor to the grocery experience while balancing cost and value. They strive to deliver products that are organic, non-GMO, and free of artificial growth hormones, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and antibiotics. The Native Sun deli emphasizes healthy convenience with fresh grab-and-go offerings
including organic juices and smoothies, gluten-free baked goods, salads, wraps, and sandwiches as well as delicious hot meals perfect for quick lunches and dinners. For Owner Aaron Gottlieb, Native Sun’s prepared foods are all about “fresh items that are simple and delicious and meet the needs of customers regardless of their food choices.” 100% organic produce, grass-fed meats, sustainable seafood, premium health and beauty care, and the best local products available make Native Sun the perfect place to feed your passion for healthy living.
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Anthony’s et al Spa & Salon
Native Sun Jacksonville
Riverside Arts Market
That Poor Girl Vintage
10092 San Jose Blvd. #6, Mandarin
11030 Baymeadows Rd., Southside
715 Riverside Ave., Riverside
1504 King St., Riverside
Black Creek Outfitters
Players by the Sea Theatre
Ray Ware Hardware
Villa Villekulla Toy Store
10051 Skinner Lake Dr., Southside
106 N. Sixth St., Jax Beach
4048 Herschel St., Avondale
5 S. 2nd St., Fernandina Beach
Dance Trance Fitness
Pinegrove Market and Deli
Simply Wine Jax
ZenCog Bicycle Company
1515 San Marco Blvd., San Marco & Jax Beach
1511 Pine Grove Ave., Avondale
730 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach
883 Stockton St., Riverside
AnthonysEtAl.Com 398-9777
BlackCreekOutfitters.Com 645-7003
DanceTranceFitness.Com 390-0939
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NativeSunJax.Com 260-2791
PlayersByTheSea.Org 249-0289
PineGroveMarket.Com 389-8655
RiversideArtsMarket.Com 389-2449
RayWare.Com 389-6659
SimplyWine.Com 352-1177
ThatPoorGirl.Com 525-0490
VillaVillekullaToys.Com 432-8291
ZenCog.Com 619-0496
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Local Theatre Makes the Scene for Our Community
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PBTS’ “Sweeney Todd”
photo by Joe Schwarz
PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE Joe Schwartz, Executive Director 106 N. Sixth St., Jacksonville Beach 249.0289 • PlayersByTheSea.org __________________________________________ erhaps the most visible and viable local theater company is the venerable Players by the Sea. The Jax Beach-based troupe celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. What you may not know is their dedication to serving the entire community, not just the die hard theatergoers. “We do plays that are less known and controversial, some that are family-friendly, classics, dramas, comedies,” says Executive Director Joe Schwarz. Not only are they experienced at producing hit productions of existing plays, they’ve also been producing and mentoring local, original works for years before it became fashionable. “We produce original plays written by local playwrights — we try to do two a year,” says Schwarz. All this is made possible by their flexible membership plans. Memberships start with five admissions, so one person can enjoy five productions, or five people can watch one together.
“If people want to shop truly local, they can buy one of our flexible memberships. Various levels of membership give you anywhere from five to 20. We like to say it’s, ‘Your theatre; Your Way.’” Memberships also help fund a powerful community outreach that eclipses that of any other local group. They go out into the community and conduct free acting lessons for senior citizens, and to schools that serve children with special needs. “What I am most passionate about with Players is that we serve the entire community,” says Schwarz. “We don’t just go to the segment of our community that can afford to give us money or who can purchase a ticket. We are a community theater in the purest sense of the word.”
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Saturdays at RAM provide something for everyone.
Family Fun with a Friendly Festival Feel RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET Krysten Bennett, Director 715 Riverside Ave., Riverside 904.389.2449 • RiversideArtsMarket.com ________________________________________ What exactly is Riverside Arts Market? RAM is a LOT of things, but mostly it’s the perfect place for community conscious shoppers because we’re a showcase for hundreds of locally owned, small businesses. Why would a person buy their holiday gifts at RAM? We’re great for people looking for creative holiday gift ideas because all of our vendors are required to hand make their products. You won’t find anything mass produced, just unique artisanal gifts. Is RAM doing anything special for the holiday season? We officially kick off the holiday shopping season with Small Business Saturday on Thanksgiving weekend and will host one of my personal favorites, Holidazzle, on December 12th. Holidazzle has extended shopping hours, photo opps with Santa and roving carolers. During the evening hours our vendors put up lights and we play short format holiday classics on a big screen at the River Stage. Old school favorites like How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We’ll be serving winter brews and holiday cocktails as well. Hopefully we’ll get some winter weather so that it’s extra festive under the bridge. Do the vendors themselves do anything different for the holidays? 16 | SHOP LOCAL | NOVEMBER 18, 2015
A lot of our vendors take their typical work and give it a little holiday flare. Our woodcrafters might make nutcrackers just for the season, or we might have bath products or candles with seasonal scents. And we have several vendors who are just with us during the holidays, those who specialize in really beautiful ornaments, for example. Wouldn’t it be easier to go to the mall? With up to 150 small businesses represented every week, we ARE basically a mall. A “small mall,” if you will. We’re the place for people who understand the importance of supporting businesses that put money directly back in to the local economy. When you buy at RAM, you’re buying from someone who might be your sister’s neighbor or a fellow parent at your kids’ school. Does RAM partner with anyone in the community? Community First Credit Union is one of many that I like to acknowledge, specifically. They’re sponsoring Small Business Saturday for the fourth year. Because they’re also based locally and so dedicated to supporting small businesses and building community, they’re a really great fit for RAM. Is the team behind RAM excited? We call ourselves the RAMily and we love this time of year. The market is so vibrant during the holidays, with visitors bringing family members from out of town to show off one of their favorite things about Jacksonville. We’re all very proud to help bring RAM to life week after week.
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Pushing the Pedals of Outstanding Cycling ZENCOG BICYCLE COMPANY Garf Cooper, Owner 883 Stockton St., Riverside 904.619.0496 • ZenCog.com __________________________________________ Why did you decide to open ZenCog? I was working at a bike store and my boss would joke with me, “You’re never going to own this place — why work so hard?” Instead of taking it easy, it inspired me to invest in building something of my own. We stay busy with custom builds for customers who need something tailored - people biking to work every day and folks who are riding across the country on bike tours. Can people trust that you have knowledgeable mechanics? ZenCog attracts bike mechanics who truly love the craft. A few of the mechanics really geek out on retro stuff. We’re fixing 1970s, ’80s, ’90s bikes as well as the latest technology. But we do everything from grandpa’s hand-me down road bike to next year’s full-squish mountain bikes. Are you prepared to handle whatever the future of bicycling brings?
Garf Cooper
We spend off-hours on the bike-tech websites and review blogs, learning about what’s coming out next. We’re bringing in pedal-assist bikes this year - e-bikes will revolutionize the way we think about using bikes for transportation. Why should a cyclist choose ZenCog over another bike shop? We have real passion for what we do. Everybody’s welcome: spandex or head tattoos. Drive up with your triathlon bike on the back of your Lexus or walk your beater in with a flat tire, and you’ll be treated fairly and get straight talk. To us, you’re a cyclist. You’re going to get great service here.
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Fitness Becomes Fun and Funky at Dance Trance DANCE TRANCE Beth Handline, Principal 1515 San Marco Blvd., San Marco 214 Orange St., Neptune Beach 904.390.0939 • DanceTranceJax.com ___________________________________ What is Dance Trance? Dance Trance is a fun, funky fitness program. There’s nothing else like it. It’s designed for fitness enthusiasts who get bored with their current routine. Dance Trance changes on a daily basis to keep interest and a love for great music at its peak. If you want fitness excitement, you’ve found it! How is Dance Trance unique? Our program is different from any dance fitness program out there because there’s a learning curve. It’s not just come in and move around fitness; there’s choreography. Just like ballroom dance or ballet, you have to be here and learn, and our instructors are here to help you succeed. Do you offer gift certificates? Our gift certificates are cards that work like cash,
so if a husband comes in and buys one, his wife can purchase a membership, clothing or other products. They never expire, and can also be purchased online. What other products do you offer? Really cool stuff. We get the coolest fashions from all over the world that are not already offered locally. Anything to work out in or to go out in: leggings, t-shirts, active wear, even dresses from Avril Lavigne’s line. Visit our shop to see them all. Any holiday specials? Brand new students get 30 days for $30, so they can try out all the classes and levels.
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Great Wine Made Fun, Simple and Convenient SIMPLY WINE Jason Richelson, CEO 730 Beach Blvd., Jax Beach 904.352.1177 • SimplyWine.com __________________________________________ or Jason Richelson, necessity was the mother of invention. When the Duval-raised CEO of Simply Wine came home from New York to visit his parents, he noticed a gaping hole that needed to be filled. “I kept remembering how we were trying to buy wine at Publix and feeling really frustrated,” he said. “And there’s nobody knowledgeable there to help you.” And there began his inspiration for Simply Wine. So when Richelson started Simply Wine, he focused on European wines made in small artisans batches. “We’ve been in the business so long, we know the best importers who know the best families who really care about the wine they make.” Add in the fact that all wines are between 10 and 20 dollars a bottle, and area wine drinkers understand Richelson is on to something. Connoisseurs of the grape who enjoy an extensive selection are forewarned. “There’s no reason to have 10 pinot grigios,” Richelson says. “Simply Wine will have an amazing one and that’s
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the one that we carry. Every bottle you get is going to be great. Trust us that you can try many different kinds of wine, but we want you to like everything you get from us.” Put in high-quality customer service on top of that, and Richelson has his concept nailed down. “If you don’t like the wine, we are happy to refund your money. You can even drink the whole bottle and get your money back if you don’t like it.” It’s a high-quality service, to be sure. “We’re bringing the best quality wine and bringing it to Jacksonville, and we’ll deliver it to you in an hour or less, seven days a week, it’s a totally new concept in Florida, maybe even outside of the state.”
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