You might not immediately notice the Beer30 sign above a simple glass doorway near the corner of King and Park Streets.  But when you walk inside, co-owners, Warren Fryefield and Justen Mann, have conjured up a diverse world of craft beers from local, national and international microbreweries on their well-stocked store shelves. With interesting names like Cigar City Batch 69 Double Cream Ale and Heathen Imp Black IPA, the team has pulled together about 600 varieties of beers, for the discerning and casual beer drinker alike.  While I was in the store, a happy patron bought a six-pack of Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, a UK brand, with its blend of tart dark chocolate, toasted malts, oats and hazelnut to try out.

Justen Mann.
co-owner, Beer30

Fryefield had long given thought to opening a craft brew store, but a visit to Hop City in Atlanta over a year ago was the catalyst for drawing up more formal plans with Mann to bring craft beers to Riverside.  The self-taught craft beer fans began to work on their idea in December 2011 and things progressed quite rapidly.  By June 1, 2012, they opened their doors to the public in an area that is quickly becoming Jacksonville’s “Beer District” for beer connoisseurs with other gastro pubs and taverns popping up along this stretch of King Street. “We wanted to offer King Street a good package store without having to go all over the place, with a great selection of American craft beer,” said Mann.  Working with beer distributors, the two selected as many different kinds of quality brews within their allotted ranges.  Over time, the duo has discovered and picked up new breweries and beer lines as they seek to keep their inventory fresh while retaining old favorites for their customers.  “We’re striving to bring in the best possible beer that we can and keep Riverside stocked on good beer,” added Mann.  The store helps to support Jacksonville’s burgeoning brewery scene with selections from Bold City Brewery, Intuition Ale Works and Green Room Brewing.  The team has also collaborated with neighbor, Pele’s Wood Fire restaurant on some initial beer tastings.  Longer-term, the owners are currently working on plans to obtain their license allowing consumption of alcohol on the business premises, so they can do beer tastings on site.

Festive craft beer displays inside Beer30

For the holiday season, Mann recommended Delirium’s Noël, Peak Organic’s Winter Session Ale and Southern Tier’s 2XMAS, brewed with oranges and figs, as some great winter brews.  Any time of year, he confides that some of his favorites are Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale and Nectar Ale’s Black Xantus Stout. Mann admits that he tried to brew his own beer once, but had little luck.  “I’d like to do it a lot more.  But it is an art form.  The people who can do it are pretty impressive,” notes Mann.

Asked about his words of advice for other entrepreneurs, Mann suggests that a new business “should never underestimate the “build out”.  The shelving was going to be a one day job, and it turned into a two-week project.  Give yourself ample time and don’t rush yourself.”The store has already helped out other local organizations with beer gift baskets and looks forward to working with other area businesses and charitable organizations over time. So help yourself or the beer lover in your life to discover some wonderful craft beer selections at Beer30.  Visit them at 1271 King Street, Jacksonville, FL, 904-388-0033, or friend them on Facebook for special announcements, upcoming events and store coupons.  You’ll be glad you made the time for Beer30!

–Bridges DelPonte, http://www.bridgesdelponte.com

Downtown Divas, 1001 Park St., Five Points in Riverside

As a high-school teen, Stephanie Betts loved to shop at the original Downtown Divas in Melbourne, Florida with its trendy fashions and down-to-earth prices. Stephanie dreamed of running her own store as she honed her retail fashion skills at national retailers, Dillard’s and Pier 1 Imports. Although her love of animals initially led her to a full-time career as a surgical veterinary nurse, Stephanie’s dream of being her own boss persisted for over a decade. Yet she finally realized her goal, opening a Downtown Diva store two years ago in Riverside’s Five Points, along with her husband, Tim. Like many women today, she juggles several roles as wife, mother of a six-year old, surgical veterinary nurse and business owner.

With her big smile and bubbly energy, Stephanie chats animatedly about the fun of bringing in new clothes “selecting what you like” to share with her customers. The store stocks distinctive clothing and fashion accessories from both national brands and local designers, including Nicole Lee, ElegantLee (Pink) Underground, Samantha Meritt, AlaArt and Manisha Joshi, Sunisha Designs. Stephanie encourages her clientele to “take a little more of a risk with color” and add fun accents, like hats, to their wardrobes. But she adds that “the little black dress is always in style.” She adds that many shoppers are surprised at the reasonable prices on unique, metropolitan fashions at Downtown Divas. “We like to say that we offer “boutique brands without boutique prices.” 

The owners promote a “casual, laid back style” in their store where patrons can freely browse and try on diverse fashions and accessories without the hassles of aggressive sales staff. Despite the lagging economy, Stephanie exudes optimism and counsels patience to other new entrepreneurs growing young businesses.  She believes that you have to be happy in whatever you are doing to be successful and that it is better to go for it than be filled with “what if” regrets. 

The Betts regularly host various “Meet the Artist (or Designer)” events to highlight talented local fashion creators. The retail team also looks forward to their annual participation in events, such as the Riverside Wine Festival, Five Points Spring Fest and the Southern Women’s Show where friends and models walk the runaway in fashions from Downtown Divas.  The co-owners are also supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Jacksonville Humane Society which pleases shop dogs, Crush and Minnie. 

For fashionistas looking to be noticed for their distinctive fashion sense, stop by Downtown Divas at 1001 Park Street, contact them at 904-683-0514, by e-mail at info@jaxdivas.com or friend them on Facebook. 

–BridgesDelPonte, www.bridgesdelponte.com

Tori Poor, Co-Owner,
That Poor Girl

Style is the buzzword at That Poor Girl. Co-owners Tori Poor and Linda Blake stock their cozy King Street store at Whiteway Corner with an eclectic blend of vintage clothing, fashion jewelry and unique accessories to complement your modern wardrobe. When we meet on Friday afternoon, Tori is dressed in a black baby doll peignoir set accented with a gold belt and snow leopard ballet shoes, adding her contemporary flair to this classic look. Her sense of style dispels the myth that vintage clothing means outdated fashions or is intended only to be worn as costumes. “You can put a vintage top with a modern skirt and put chunky heels on and you’ve got something walking down the runway,” the trendy stylist advises. “There are so many things you can do with vintage. It can be new.” 

 Having grown up with parents active in estate sales and antiques, Tori has long appreciated and collected diverse clothing and accessories from the past. Since her teenaged years, Tori shared fond memories of spending time searching for unique fashions and hearing stories about vintage clothing she bought at funky second-hand shops, like Time Warp, formerly in Riverside’s Five Points. When that shop closed, she began her own quest to keep vintage designs and their back stories alive for other young fashionistas. “It’s not just old clothes or thrift stores. Vintage clothing has a story behind it. If you pick out a dress, I probably know the story behind it,” said Tori. Originally, she sold pieces from her treasure trove at her parents’ store, including their current shop, A Champions Consignment, before branching off to her own store with her business partner. United by their shared sense of style, Tori credits Linda’s business sense and financial support with helping her to further channel her creative talents as they launched their enterprise. They learned about the availability of the intimate King Street space through Craig’s List and jumped at the chance to start their business small, growing it over time. Longer-term, they hope to expand their retailing efforts online through eBay for vintage clothing and Etsy for hand-crafted accessories. 

Currently, these two retailers are often busy styling photo shoots at Brasil + West Photography or providing unique fashions for budding Jacksonville photographers, filmmakers and models for “Test Shoot Tuesdays” at Bubble Wrap Studio. When the duo tends their shop, they favor a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy sharing stories behind each fashion item or accessory with their customers. They appreciate the diversity of the King Street scene, including a customer who seeks out fun accessories for his fashionable Jack Russell Terrier. “There are so many interesting people who walk by here. I love it,” adds Tori. The boutique also promotes local artists including original acrylic paintings by Sebastian “Troy” Pierre and hand-made jewelry, hair bows and rings by Shantel Niblock and Anthony Danes (both are on Facebook). For other young retailers, Tori notes that it is important “to stay motivated. You have to push yourself and stay focused. Stay open for as long as you can, be here as often as you can. And keep following your instincts. For me, if I see something that inspires me I am going to run with it. Don’t ignore inspiration.”

Oct. 13 – Upcoming Charity
Photoshoot Contest

These talented stylists are supporters of local charities, including Girls Rock Camp, which provides opportunities for young girls, ages 9 to 16, to participate in workshops on music, creativity, songwriting, peer collaboration, and confidence-building. They are also looking forward to styling contestants in a 1960s/1970s-themed Charity Photoshoot Contest, organized and hosted by model Sarah Ann Smith, Manikin Model and Talent Agency, on October 13. Local photographers, Brasil + West Photography and Daryna Barykina will be taking photos of up-and-coming professional and amateur models with the winners helping to direct proceeds to local charities along with being awarded fun prizes.

If you are looking to make that one-of-a-kind fashion statement, to enhance your daily wardrobe or to receive professional styling for a special event or creative portfolio, make an appointment with the gifted team at That Poor Girl. Call them at 904-525-0490, stop by 1504 King Street at Whiteway Corner, or friend them on Facebook.

 –Bridges DelPonte - www.bridgesdelponte.com

Quiet sophistication at
Bonne Nuit

Delicate candles scents and pastel colors with black-and-white accents transport guests into a tranquil environment at Bonne Nuit, “good night” in French.  A twelve-year veteran of the Shoppes of Avondale, the mother-daughter team of owner, Karen Johnston, and manager, Jennifer Perkins, built a strong customer following for their sophisticated lingerie shop by offering pastel feminine lingerie alongside fun fashion colors in bras and accessories.  The store’s knowledgeable staff offers personalized customer service, including hard-to-find personal bra fittings, for “all different shapes and sizes” notes store associate, Caroline Steedley.  She points out that lingerie “can be very sophisticated and pretty.  It doesn’t have to reveal too much, and can just be comfortable while you sleep.”

Owner Karen Johnston with shop mascot, Webster

In a challenging economy, Bonne Nuit moved its storefront across the street last year, more than doubling its retail space.  Steedley is pleased about the expansion.  “It has really been fabulous to be a part of a business that has grown during the recession,” she said.  Their larger location makes room for a fine selection of home décor, linens from Le Jacquard Français and bedding from Yves Delorme along with colorful fashion accessories and delightful infant apparel from Orange Park’s Brown Owl Designs.

Despite its growth, Steedley notes that Bonne Nuit continues to provide a relaxed shopping experience with quality goods at a wide range of price points.  “We have gift items as low as nine dollars up to bedding at a couple of hundred dollars,” she adds.  The store regularly provides 20 percent off its bedding and free gift wrap for all of your special purchases. “Fine gift wrap is almost a lost art,” says Steedley.  In addition, Bonne Nuit welcomes patrons to schedule private parties with wine and snacks from neighbor W90+and offers fashion previews with special trunk shows.With Bonne Nuit’s expansion, its owner and staff are developing an enhanced online presence with the launch of a new website that will host a regular newsletter showcasing product arrivals, a store blog with fashion and home furnishing tips and a fan page for the store’s mascot, Webster, a friendly English Labrador.  Steedley credits Bonne Nuit’s continuing success to “a really loyal customer base.  We’re very fortunate to have the support of the neighborhood.”

Caroline Steedley & Lawson Armes in new linen section

But community support is a two-way street as Bonne Nuit which has been active in local charity events with the Avondale Merchants Association, the Ronald MacDonald House of Jacksonville and Riverside Presbyterian Day School. To keep up with this growing retailer, stop by their store at 3579 St. Johns Avenue, (904) 389-2403, visit their website, www.shopbonnenuit.com, or friend them on Facebook.

The Jax Cash Mob is invading San Marco Square Saturday June 30th with a band of mobbers who all want to shop local.

Take your community’s economic future in your hands and demonstrate your support for local small business owners. When you buy local, our community gets more for it’s money. Nearly 70% of the money spent at locally-owned small businesses stays within the local Jacksonville economy.

Pizza Palace is the meetup spot where at 11AM the cash mob site will be unveiled. Mobbers will then head to the location and each spend between $10 and $20 as a demonstration of your support to the buy local movement. Afterwards, post-mob drinks and socializing will be held at Pizza Palace at 12:30pm. Mobbers are free to discover the many wonderful stores that make up the San Marco Square business district.

What is a cash mob?
A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business and all buy items from that business. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. Think of the cash mob as a “shop local” flash mob created to spur local economic stimulus! The ten dollars demonstrates your personal commitment and effort to support a local independent retailer while having fun doing it as a part of a larger group. Cash mobs also have a social and community-building component as the interaction between community-minded individuals that meet at these events has a multiplier effect that breeds new projects and contacts.

How do I participate?
Here are the rules:
1. Show up at Pizza Palance at 11AM. Pizza Palace is located at 1959 San Marco Blvd.
2. Spend $10-$20 at a local store (we’ll reveal the store at 1pm)
3. Get connected!  Take the opportunity to connect with others in our community interested in Going LO by meeting three new people at the event.

Why cash mob?
When we buy local, from local businesspeople, wealth is both created and retained in the community. Think of what an impact we can all have on our community by simply choosing to shop local. We each do a little. We all do a lot.

~Contributed by MySanMarco.com

W90+, Shoppes of Avondale

W90+ is the newest addition to Jacksonville’s trendy wine and food scene at the Shoppes of Avondale.  Two Jacksonville brothers, Elias and Eduardo Mahfuz, originally from Brazil, wanted to create a light, airy space where customers could easily browse and taste hand-picked selection of fine wines along with artisan cheeses, breads and pastas.  They chose the name, W90+, to highlight a wine selection where nearly every bottle has achieved a rating of 90 or better from expert reviewers.  But high marks, doesn’t have to mean high prices.  Avondale store manager, Rob Middleton, says that W90+ carries “wines for just about every price range. You can have a nice evening for under $20.”

W90+ manager, Rob Middleton

Unlike a warehouse type of wine store, “there’s no getting lost. We have the maximum amount of choice in this small space. You can come in and make your choice very simply, quickly and easily. Whether your choice is made based on the review or based on price or based on consultation with the staff,” notes Middleton. The wine buyer for W90+, Richard Park, has more than 30 years of experience choosing high quality wines and the knowledgeable staff strives to provide personalized service for both novices and connoisseurs alike.

The owners chose to locate their business in Avondale because of its foodie reputation and walkable neighborhood charm. Filled with natural light, W90+ creates an intimate space with white floor-to-ceiling cubby holes that allow customers to view the shop’s full collection and accompanying wine reviews.  Gourmet foods, like Sweet Grass Dairy cheeses, French Pantry breads, Cipriani’s pastas and Sauces ‘n Love fresh pestos, complement the store’s extensive wine selection.  Middleton thinks some hidden gems are Gruet Winery sparkling wines from New Mexico, Austrian Grüner Veltliner white wines and Washington state wines.  He adds that pink-colored wines tend to get a bad rap as being too sweet, but invites customers to try out rosés from Provence which are “tart and refreshing” for summertime.

Enomatic® wine dispenser from Italy

The shop also features a state-of-the-art Italian Enomatic® wine dispenser, common at wine bars, offering fresh sips of a rotating selection of white and red wines. “I don’t know of anybody else who has an Enomatic® in their shop,” notes Middleton.  “By having one of those at the shop, we are able to have at any time eight wines—four whites, four reds—ready for tasting.  Any wine shop can open wines and have them available for taste, but they will only be good for a day or two.”  The Enomatic® machine avoids exposure to air preventing loss of taste or spoilage.  W90+ also hosts weekly Friday night social tastings at 5:30 p.m. and is open on Sundays for customers looking to pair wines with fresh produce purchases from the local Avondale Farmers Market.

Light, airy wine shop

Open since November 2011, W90+ has already been active in local events for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, World Affairs Council Jacksonville and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital.  Clearly, the Mahfuz brothers’ concept has already become a big hit with a feature on Fox 30’s Action News Morning Show and expansion to a second W90+ location at 1112 S. 3rd St., Jacksonville Beach.  Whether you’re looking for wine for a special occasion or a quiet evening at home, visit W90+, 3548 St Johns Ave, Jacksonville (904-413-0025),  friend them on Facebook to sign up for their newsletter or catch their tweets on Twitter.  In a hectic summer, isn’t it time for you to stop and smell the rosés?

–Bridges DelPonte, www.bridgesdelponte.com

34TH ANNUAL SPRINGFIELD SPRING HOME AND GARDEN TOUR

For the past 33 years, Springfield residents have opened their homes to the Jacksonville community to show off Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhood. The two-day event will benefit Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council and Springfield Heritage Education Center.

WHERE:                  SPAR Headquarters & SHEC Archives, 1321 North Main St.

WHEN:                     Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20,  1:00pm to 6:00pm

COST:                       $10 in advance or $12 on tour days

TICKETS:              Buy  Online:  www.spartour.org

In Person:

SPAR Headquarters and SHEC Archives
1321 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

An Olde Time Hardware
3732 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

Three Layers
1602 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206

Tres Leches Deserts
1839 North Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32206

e2ride will also be offering bike tours during the Home Tour. http://www.e2ride.com/

INFORMATION:        www.spartour.org or 904/419-7432

Contact: Adam Halstead, 904-419-7432, adamhalstead@springfieldheritagecenter.org

As two busy attorneys at different Jacksonville law firms, they knew all too well the stresses of demanding careers and hectic personal lives.  Yet each followed a different path to the study and practice of yoga before joining forces in September 2008 to establish Lotus Yoga.  About ten years ago, a friend invited Bonnie, a former triathlete and long-distance runner, to attend a yoga class at the YMCA.  After taking a few initial classes, Bonnie felt a sense of both energy and relaxation.  “I had no idea how worn out I was…A seed was planted,” she notes.  Soon she began attending classes regularly and knew “something began changing inside of me.  I started to feel better; the seed was taking root.”  Her business partner, Bethany had previously studied dance and gymnastics before training as a spring board and tower diver.  About eight years ago, she started to practice yoga as a natural blend of “the strength of gymnastics, the grace of dance, the weightlessness of diving.”  And like Bonnie, Bethany realized that her yoga practice was “most importantly, a path for transformation and spiritual growth.”

If you’re looking for a way to restore and reenergize yourself, pull on that loose, comfortable clothing, grab that yoga mat and a bottle of water and stop by Lotus Yoga at 869 Stockton Street, Suite 7, across from The John Gorrie, or check them out on the Web at lotusyogajax.com.

–Bridges DelPonte, http://www.bridgesdelponte.com

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.