JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The latest part of the facelift is a joint venture between two local businesses: Sweet Pete's and the Candy Apple Cafe and Cocktails restaurant.
The two are moving into a previously abandoned building.
This building had been abandoned for nearly a decade and wasn't being used for anything. In fact, the porch had to be rebuilt. It's still a work in progress, but the owner said they hope it'll become a destination downtown.
"[We're] looking forward to the old house doing something," said Rick Moesner.
Moesner, who with his wife runs Kim's Hot Dog Express, is excited for the future downtown.
"We're looking forward to it. Everything they do down here is going to bring more people downtown," Moesner said.
Just down the street is an array of color, candy and even coffee.
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Jacksonville's own Sweet Pete's and Candy Apple Cafe and Cocktails have teamed up to make use of a building on Hogan Street.
"We were adamant that once we built this new concept, we would go downtown and become a part of downtown revitalization," said Allison Behringer of Sweet Pete's.
"It's important for our city to have a strong urban core and downtown Jacksonville is a critical piece of that," said Jennifer Earnest of Candy Apple Café & Cocktails.
Action News was invited for a tour of the grounds. The restaurant's on one side, the candy shop on the other. Up above are two more floors of private event spaces.
City spokesman David DeCamp said the mayor has made increasing foot traffic downtown a priority and this will help.
"We're seeing a lot of energy here, were seeing a lot of creative energy business investment and it's really valuable for our taxpayers," DeCamp said.
And local businesses, both on a large and small scale, are seeing the value as well.
"It's coming together. It finally looks like we're getting to the top of the hill where it'll start showing the crowd. That's what it's all about," said Moesner.
The group has planned a soft opening for Dec. 8 and an actual grand opening for the following week.
Similar projects are also in the works to revitalize downtown buildings. Developers also have plans to turn the Bostwick Building into an upscale steakhouse.
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