GoLO Jacksonville

If you are looking for a suitable place to hold your wedding reception or other celebration, look no further! The Springfield Woman’s Club, 210 W. 7th Street in Historic Springfield is the perfect place for a gathering of up to 125 people. Just a short distance from downtown, North Main Street, and Interstate 95, it is easy to reach from any part of Jacksonville or the surrounding areas. The fountain and gardens make a beautiful background for perfect wedding photographs. The lovely Klutho Park and Bandstand is close by – just a carriage ride – which could also be a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.

The century-old building, originally the Springfield Presbyterian Church, has been carefully restored to preserve its ambiance. It has polished wood flooring, with a real cathedral ceiling, and an understated decor with a hint of Victorian style. This allows your florist and wedding planner to decorate according to your wishes.

There is a fully equipped kitchen for food preparation and renters are able to bring in their choice of caterers.

A lovely setting for perfect receptions – at a price that makes this unique venue a real treasure.

Monday through Thursday —$350.00
Fridays and Saturdays —$550.00
Sundays —$400.00
Additional Consecutive Day—Half Price

Hourly Rates
Monday—Thursday Only
$75 First Hour
$50 Each Additional Hour

Daily Rental Hours —9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Midnight

Call and reserve your special event: 904-633-9308

E-mail: siawc@yahoo.com

The Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club also has a busy event calendar with outstanding activities.
Put “A Vintage Evening at the Club” wine tasting on your calendar:

Saturday, April 14, 2012
From 4:30 to 7:30 pm at The Woman’s Club
210 West 7th Street
Historic Springfield 

For further information and to purchase tickets: Click here.

This public event includes a wine education – how to drink it, not how to make it. Six to ten vintage natural wines from all over the world will be offered for tasting by PRP Wine International, a full service boutique wine company. Springfield residents and friends have been raving about a recent PRP Wine tasting – even beer drinkers said they learned tips and info that made them not only enjoy wine, but made them purchase their own bottle.

Our 25th Annual Holiday Home tour – December 9th and 10th. This weekend is the magical spectacle that is the 2011 Springfield Holiday Home Tour, the most popular annual event in Historic Springfield, and a fantastic showcase of a unique community. This year’s tour of eclectic mix of gorgeous homes runs Friday & Saturday evenings (12/09 & 12/10) from 5-8pm.

Tickets can be purchased via Paypal, at the Spar office, at Avonlea Antique Mall, An Olde Time Hardware or on site both evenings  – 1654 Walnut Street. Advance tickets are $10 and on site tickets are $12.

Homes on the tour.

Map and directions.

Also featured in Historic Springfield this weekend:

Find gifts for friends and relatives as you browse through the stalls. Choose from:

• Jewelry
• Handmade holiday wreaths and gift baskets
• Bath and beauty products
• Antiques and shabby chic

And so much more!

Small Business Saturday, which was started in 2010 by American Express, is November 26. American Express Cardholders should go to www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday to register their card. Spend $25.00 on a pre-registered American Express Card at a small, locally-owned business and you will receive a $25.00 credit from American Express. It’s a win-win for shoppers and locally owned small businesses. (Franchisees, national chains and government agencies need not apply!)

In order to do Small Business Saturday in style, Sweet Pete’s, 1922 N. Pearl St. in Historic Springfield,  is hosting a Sweet Celebration on the 26^th only. In addition to the $25.00 American Express credit, Sweet Pete’s is giving away a $15.00 gift certificate with purchases of $50.00 or more. All customers are eligible for the gift certificate give away, not just American Express card holders.

The Sweet Celebration hours on Saturday are 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM. While shopping for your holiday needs, enjoy:

Free Champagne and Hibiscus Cocktails
Honey and Cheese Samples
Chocolate and Candy Samples

Sweet Pete’s will also host local holiday decor designer, John Fabiano of Fabiano Designs.  John decorated Sweet Pete’s for the 2011 holiday season and will share holiday decorating tips with Sweet Pete’s customers.

Why is Small Business Saturday so important? For every $100.00 spent shopping, your community gets in return:

$68 from a locally owned, independent, brick and mortar store           

$43 from a National Chain or “big box” store

$0 from an online store (unless you live in a very small place)

The answer is clear. Go shop, GoLO!!

Sweet Pete’s
1922 N. Pearl St.
Jacksonville, Fl 32206
904-376-7161

http://www.sweetpete.net/

Blossom’s is an antique, gift and accessories store located at 1843 N. Liberty Street in the Springfield home of Margy Feldmann, owner & proprietor. It’s one of a growing number of new businesses springing up in Springfield…a trend back to the ”cottage industry” and away from the vast concrete jungle we know as the “mall”.  It is small businesses like Blossom’s which add to the fabric of the community in Springfield and Jacksonville generally.

As each new cottage business opens in Springfield, owners and friends work hard to improve the surrounding area and to welcome new people into the community as customers and maybe, down the road, as neighbors! This trend could spread to improve our community block by block, to showcase the Springfield neighborhood as a place to live and work. Meanwhile, the business owners have the luxury of working in their own home, setting their own hours, and enjoying the creativity of the business they select to pursue.

Blossom’s Shabby Chic is open daily from 2-5 pm and by appointment by calling 443-822-1343(Please call ahead on the weekend). The atmosphere is friendly and eclectic with treasures ranging from high end antique furniture showpieces and fine English bone china to funny cocktail napkins and candleholders. A beautiful hand-painted underwater mermaid scene (shown in photo) is another special piece.

Painting by Joan Purcell

Modern to antique and high-end to affordable—there is something for everyone. The fun part is the clothes rack with vintage full length and short fox and mink furs, evening dresses or vintage designer blouses, slacks, skirts, sets, etc.

Margy had thought about opening a business of her own of one type or another most of her life; but it wasn’t until a series of events transpired that she made it happen. She had just experienced yet another series of unfortunate events when her friend, Susan Noonan, announced the opening of her own cottage business, Springfield Arts & Antiques. With Susan as an example of taking such a bold step, Margy was ready to follow suit.

“It took exactly one month, from start to finish, to open the business, thanks to the guidance and support of my dear friend Susan,” Margy says. Susan demonstrated the necessary courage to take that first step and showed me step-by-step what needed to be done. “Our speed had a lot to do with necessity and the up-coming holiday season. But if it hadn’t been for Susan, I doubt that I would have been able to accomplish this. It’s this kind of friendship that makes Springfield the best place in the world to live.”

Susan and Margy, both on the Board of the Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club, are planning to roll out an educational program in concert with local banking and other institutions in early January to assist and support women (and men, too) who wish to start a  business. Keep an eye out for more information on this series.

Many of the items were passed down from Margy’s parents and grand-parents while others she collected on her own. Some treasures have been placed with Blossom’s on consignment. All are waiting for you–window shopping or serious holiday gift-buying makes no difference.  Come take a look and see for yourself because Blossom’s has something special for you!

Chef Eddy Escriba, Executive Chef at Uptown Market, demonstrates how to make a delicious Arugula Roast Beef Salad. A Jacksonville favorite serving breakfast and lunch, you won’t be disappointed with what you taste! http://www.uptownmarketjax.com

Originally posted on HealthSource