Building Up Jax: Miami Subs returns to Jax

Check out the latest Jacksonville development and construction news in this week’s edition of Building Up Jax!

Return of Miami Subs

According to multiple sources, Miami Subs is returning to Jacksonville.

The chain, now rebranded as Miami Grill, will open its first new Jax location in a former Zaxby’s building at 9525 N. Regency Square Blvd. It’ll be the first of potentially four area locations.

Miami Subs had six Jacksonville-area locations during the chain’s peak years in the ‘90s, but exited the market altogether as it entered an extended period of financial struggles. However, the brand has experienced a renaissance in recent years, rebranding as Miami Grill and adding pop music artist Pitbull as a partial owner.

The chain is still evaluating other future locations – no word on if they plan to re-acquire any of their old buildings, such as the one that’s sat vacant along Baymeadows Rd. for years.

Reader question

One of our readers, Dominic C., wanted to know whether The Container Store or Crate & Barrel had any plans to come to Jax soon – so we asked them!

According to a public relations official at The Container Store, the company does hope to expand to Jacksonville. However, there are no imminent plans right now – we’ll keep checking in with them to see if that changes.

As for Crate & Barrel, the company has shown interest in the Jax market in the past. They were among the stores expected to open as part of Phase 1 of the St. Johns Town Center, but at some point in the process they backed out. Unfortunately, a source at Crate & Barrel indicated that the company does not plan to expand to Jax.

More store closure news

Payless ShoeSource released a list this week of around 400 of its stores that would be closing soon, but all of its Jacksonville-area stores will remain open – for now.

Meanwhile, electronics store hhgregg is going out of business and thus closing all of their retail locations. The company has three Jax locations – one in Arlington, one in Avenues Walk on Philips Highway, and one near the Oakleaf Town Center in Orange Park.

Noted projects

• Wawa held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first Jax locations this past week – check out our article about the event for more information.
• Jumpin’ Jax House of Food will replace the former Red Elephant at 10131 San Jose Blvd., according to Jax Daily Record.
• 8^th Street Fast Café will open at 1818 N. Davis St. in LaVilla, according to city permits.
• Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair will replace the Olive Oil store at the St. Johns Town Center, via Jax Daily Record.

See any construction going on around town that you want to know more about? Got a favorite store you want to see in Jax? Let us know! Contact us at info@buildingupjax.com and we’ll investigate.