The Coastal
  • Development
  • History
  • Jax Evolved
  • More
    • Culture
    • Community
    • Food + Drink
    • Hidden Gems
    • Local Quirks
    • Lists
    • Sports
    • 904VIEWS
    • Seven Bridges
    • Music
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
The Coastal
  • Development
  • History
  • Jax Evolved
  • More
    • Culture
    • Community
    • Food + Drink
    • Hidden Gems
    • Local Quirks
    • Lists
    • Sports
    • 904VIEWS
    • Seven Bridges
    • Music
No Result
View All Result
The Coastal
No Result
View All Result

Remembering the Small Shops from Downtown Jacksonville’s History

by The Coastal
June 1, 2020
in History
Woolworth's in downtown Jacksonville, FL
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It’s no secret that downtown Jacksonville used to be a thriving center of retail activity before being derailed by several factors in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

We’ve previously chronicled some of the department store chains that took up residence downtown during its heyday, but there were so many other, smaller shops that contributed to the rise and growth of the once-active downtown shopping district. Some of them were larger, national chains, while some were based here in Jax. Together, along with the bigger department stores, they made up what amounted to an outdoor shopping mall in the urban core.

We’ve chosen a few of those smaller shops to briefly profile below. For those who have memories of these shops and others, we would love to hear your stories – especially if you feel that there are important shops that we’ve omitted. Check out our list below and see what sparks your memory!

2. F.W. WOOLWORTH’S

Previous
Next
Woolworth's in downtown Jacksonville, FL

Much like Kress, F.W. Woolworth Company was a thriving national chain of five-and-dime stores. It first opened in downtown Jax in 1917 in a building at the corner of Main and Forsyth streets.

They stayed in that building for a few decades before joining J.C. Penney in a larger building next to Hemming Park in the mid-‘50s. It was at that building where Woolworth’s lunch counter became the site of a non-violent civil rights protest that prompted a mob of white residents to violently attack those who were protesting.

The incident, known as Ax Handle Saturday, drew national attention and has arguably become the lasting memory of Woolworth’s time in Jacksonville. Still, the downtown store limped along until the early ‘90s.

You MightAlso Like

Florida Times-Union building

Story of a Building: The Florida Times-Union Building

Edgewood Bakery

Remembering Edgewood Bakery: Once a Murray Hill Staple, Now an Empty Building

jacksonville university

A Brief History of Jacksonville University

history of Ed wAters College

A Brief History of Edward Waters College

The building that was home to Ax Handle Saturday has been demolished, but the original Woolworth’s building is now home to Perdue Office Interiors.

Previous S.H. KRESS & CO.
Next MANGEL’S
Share312TweetSendShareShare
Previous Post

Building Up Jax: Jaguar Power Sports moving to Southside

Next Post

Flagler Health+ Campus in Durbin Park to Break Ground in Fall

The Coastal

The Coastal is a local magazine in Jacksonville, FL, founded in 2015 to bring you stories about the past, present, and future of the First Coast.

Related Posts

Florida Times-Union building

Story of a Building: The Florida Times-Union Building

Edgewood Bakery

Remembering Edgewood Bakery: Once a Murray Hill Staple, Now an Empty Building

jacksonville university

A Brief History of Jacksonville University

history of Ed wAters College

A Brief History of Edward Waters College

Worman's bAKERY AND DELI

Remembering Worman’s Bakery and Deli

Before Normandy Mall, There Was the Loew’s Normandy Drive-In Theatre

Next Post
Flagler Health Village Durbin Park

Flagler Health+ Campus in Durbin Park to Break Ground in Fall

A Running List of What’s Coming to Northern St. Johns County

Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Development and Construction News Every Saturday - The Coastal

Building Up Jax: JCPenney closing at Regency Square Mall

Comments 6

  1. Harry Shmunes says:
    5 years ago

    Why is the hometown success story of Setzer’s Grocery and Pic N’ Save never mentioned in Jacksonville history?

    Reply
    • The Coastal says:
      5 years ago

      Neither were based downtown but we could do a future piece on local grocers!

      Reply
  2. Paula Hamlin says:
    5 years ago

    Does anyone remember what the name of the circus themed children’s clothing store was that was located in town and country shopping center? It had a live monkey in a cage in the center of the store and the theme was red and white like a circus tent. We used to love to go there as kids!

    Reply
  3. Jack Mizrahi says:
    5 years ago

    French Novelty has been family owned and operated in Jacksonville since 1911.

    https://www.frenchnovelty.com/about-us

    Reply
  4. Diane says:
    5 years ago

    That would be great. My grandmother worked at Setzers when she was a teenager. Looking forward to a story about these home town companies.

    Reply
  5. Jeri says:
    5 years ago

    I don’t know how iconic it was, but my favorite clothing store in the early 70’s was “Diana’s”. Theirs was the first credit card I obtained as a senior in highschool. I was there every payday buying new clothes and paying on my account. Crazy how I thought that was a good thing. ????. I did love that shop though!

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

LATEST POSTS

Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Construction and Development Updates Each Saturday
Development

Building Up Jax: South Moon Under coming to SJTC

South Moon Under to SJTC A new fashion retailer is coming to St. Johns Town Center. South Moon Under received...

Read moreDetails
Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Construction and Development Updates Each Saturday

Building Up Jax: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop coming to Mandarin

Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Construction and Development Updates Each Saturday

Building Up Jax: Scramblers coming to Deerwood, Lakewood

Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Construction and Development Updates Each Saturday

Building Up Jax: Gucci to SJTC; Taverna debuting new concept

Building Up Jax - Jacksonville Construction and Development Updates Each Saturday

Building Up Jax: Dolly Llama to PVB; Lowe’s, Wawa to CR-210

The Coastal

© 2015-2021 Cowford Media / The Coastal Jacksonville LLC. All rights reserved.

Browse by Section

  • News
  • Culture
  • History
  • In the Community
  • Food + Drink
  • Sports
  • About

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Development
  • Culture
  • History
    • Jax Evolved
  • In the Community
  • Food + Drink
  • Sports
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Submit Your Story
    • Advertise

© 2015-2021 Cowford Media / The Coastal Jacksonville LLC. All rights reserved.