News post!

• It's official! The Starbucks location in the 11 E will be closing this Thurday.
• Chamblin's is now open in the evening on Wednesday and Saturday only (wtf?) so you can still get your coffee fix during rush hour... and maybe pick up a book while you're there.
• UNF has now officially acquired the Jacksonville Museum of Comporary Art, and while I am still a bit worried about the details, this could prove to be a boon for downtown by allowing the museum more flexibility with hours and events and allowing UNF to generate more interest in events downtwon.
• Shantytown gets a new sign. And it's a cool one.
  
• Downtown loses one trolley route, but gains the Beaver St Farmers Market as a destination on another route. There's also talk of a trolley running to Springfield, this time next year I could be leaving my house on 2nd St and getting veggies from the Farmer's Market without ever having to use a car.
• Unfortunately The Gas Knob Pub is no more (a very underrated and under-appreciated spot in my opinion) but the owners of First Street Grille have stepped up to the plate with the newly opened Jacksonville Sports Bar.
• The Riverside Culinary scene is expanding again. We're working to get restaurant reviews up and running, I think Fu Hao is going to be my first one.... for research purposes, of course.
• The Riverside Arts Market is insane, between the dozens of local farmers, crafters, and artists there's much too much to see and do in one day. Plus with live music, free bike valet, and the riverwalk and 5 points so close you really don't have a reason not to go.
• Three Layers is working wonders in their corner of Springfield by creating a nice and peaceful destination in the neighborhood for those times when the pearl is just too loud and Shantytown is just too hot. They haven't posted it officially on their site yet, but the owners revealed to me that they will have a wine bar opening up soon in the other side of the store. Now you can enjoy a nice glass of wine with your massive piece of delicious cake
• Cafe Carmon closed their doors last month, but Sam Efron (Sous chef of Orsay) and his wife Kiley are already stepping in to fill the gap. I've worked with Sam before and I have confidence this should be a great location when it opens in August.

That's about all we have time for this week. There's alot more news swirling about, and for how bad people keep telling me the economy is, alot of it seems to be positive. If you have any news or just a good rumor for us email us at homegrownjax@gmail.com