Jacksonville bookstore owner pushes to revitalize downtown

A new push to revitalize downtown Jacksonville has been approved.

Ron Chamblin, owner of Chamblin’s Uptown, bought the building next door in 2012.

“I mean, look at it, it’s a neat building,” said the business owner.

Chamblin said it’s no surprise others shied away from purchasing the property.

“We’re having to replace most everything – the outside, the inside, you name it,” Chamblin said.

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Renderings for the facade were given the green light Thursday by the Downtown Development Review Board.

The renovation will transport the upstairs space into four apartments, with a restaurant on the lower level.

According to Chamblin, the project is part of a larger push to bring more business downtown.

Right down the road, efforts are underway to renovate the Laura Street Trio.

Taylor Barone, who lives downtown, explained, “If I want a cup of coffee, I have a couple of options, and just little restaurants, too, that you can try and see what it has to offer.”

Chamblin hopes to complete the project by the end of 2019.