We’ve talked about Vagabond again and again, but we’re not too afraid to admit that we’re mildly obsessed with this coffee place. We won’t beat you over the head with more details about it; instead, we’ll just post lots of lovely photos that should encourage you (force you) to want to go there. If the photography skills of Stefanie Keeler don’t convince you, you’re just crazy. So, without further ado, we hope you enjoy this visual journey into the world of local coffee, cool people, and dang good decorating skills.
Neighborhood
Il Desco // Riverside
Welcome to Riverside, Il Desco, we are so happy to have you! With fresh made pastas, wood fired pizzas, raw bar, hand crafted drinks, and more, it’s a great addition to the area.
We were thrilled to be invited to preview the menu, and after trying a handful of dishes, we have to say that their chefs are very talented. They source local whenever possible, and the menu will change seasonally.
The interior is just as sumptuous as the menu. It boasts a large community table in the middle of the restaurant, and circular booths, so it’s perfect for a romantic evening or large gatherings!
The Grand Opening will be on November 12th, and we highly recommend making a reservation by giving them a call at 904-290-6711.
Fun fact, Il Desco means “the dinner table” in Italian!
The craft cocktail list will change seasonally, to keep up with the menu as it changes throughout the year.
Oyster shooter anyone?
Let’s talk about spaghetti tacos. I get it, they sound strange, and I mean they are, but somehow putting pasta in a taco with delicious sauce and a smattering of lettuce and Parmesan works. Don’t ask me how, just order a plate and see for yourself!
With fresh seafood, and local fish, you can’t go wrong with their whole fish, lobster pasta, or their fresh squid.
If you’ve had a bad experience with squid in the past we highly recommend trying it at Il Desco, it’s not your average calamari!
With a variety of specialty pizzas to choose from you can’t go wrong. Vegetarian and meat eaters alike will be happy with the choices provided.
Let us know what your favorite dish is when you visit Il Desco!
Jax by Jax // Tim Gilmore
Jax by Jax, Jacksonville’s most recent literary festival, has an unlikely beginning with Tim Gilmore, a prolific local writer, professor, and self-professed introvert.
With festivals Jax by Jax, and publications like Bridge Eight and Perversion, our literary scene here in Jacksonville is growing every year. With Tim behind it, Jacksonville is winding up for the 2nd annual Jax by Jax, on Saturday, November 14th. This year it’s going to be bigger and better than last year, and rightly so. From 3:00 to 9:30, the literary community invites you to sample more than 20 different writers hosted by 12 small businesses on Park and King Street.
We’ve come to know that there is usually a reason behind the madness when someone takes on the responsibility of planning an event, and Tim is no different. For Tim, Jax by Jax really started years ago with his own work, and the books he’s published about characters like Eartha White, Virginia King, Ottis Toole, and more. The stories he chooses to delve into are always about a Jacksonville character, and Tim does plenty of research, both primary and secondary, to get the complete picture of the character in question. He’s had amazing success when it comes to the launches of these books, and has been fortunate in how well the books have been received by the community. Now, Jax by Jax is his way of trying to give back. His goal? “Make something that would do for others what others had done for him.” By giving other writers the chance to experience the feeling of a community launch, he hopes Jax by Jax will not only encourage other writers to share their work, but that it will encourage our community to tap into those writers and support them.
Tim views our city as a character and a “stage,” so what better way to set the stage than to “use small independent businesses as venues?” With the venues spread out along King and Park Street, Jax by Jax is designed for folks to be able to sample a writer’s work by hearing them perform excerpts or short works. Essentially, you aren’t committing yourself to a long reading or performance, but to manageable, social bites — giving you the chance to move on if the reader isn’t quite your style. Tim gave us a tip that if you really stay on task, you can hear as many as 8 writers, but that’s up to you.
In addition to giving a stage to Jacksonville writers, Tim really wants to use Jax by Jax as a way to say to the city, “Hey, look at what you’re doing.” Tim goes even further, saying t hat “anyone who cares about Jacksonville should attend [Jax by Jax], whether you love the city, or think it needs work.” If you’re looking to meet fellow passionate Jacksonville-ites, this event is right up your alley. While this event may sound like it’s only for the literary inclined, I’d ask you to give it chance. With so many great bars and restaurants on the tour, and with so many fabulous folks walking around, you’ll be hard pressed to have a bad time.
Jax by Jax is the sort of event that keeps on giving, even after it’s over. You won’t want to miss out on the Jax by Jax after party at Evervess Art Studios across from CoRK on King Street. While the festival throughout the day is free, make sure you get your $10 ticket for the after party. It gives you access to all the writers from the day with book signings, music, food, and drinks (for as long as it lasts).
With a variety of writers present at the event, you can be sure there’ll be something you’ll enjoy. Everything from poetry, short stories, and graphic novels will be read throughout the day, and yes, let me repeat: they are all local writers! That means that every word you hear throughout the day was written right here in Jax by a Jax writer. Talk about really diving into the heart of the city!
Check out the writers and the kinds of stories you’ll find on the 14th by visiting the Jax by Jax website where you can find a printable event guide for the day. We’ll see you there!
Unity Plaza // Riverside
Concerts, seminars, new restaurants, oh my! The long awaited Unity Plaza had its opening ceremony on Tuesday, and we’re pretty confident that the new space in Brooklyn Station is going to deliver on its many promises to the community. What was once a retention pond on Riverside Ave will now be “a non-profit urban park, created to uplift, educate, entertain, and electrify our community,” according to the plaza’s mission. The plaza’s three pillars, Wellness, Community, and Performing Arts, are designed to provide the neighborhood with another interactive and cultural space, similar to the way that Hemming Park interacts with downtown Jax. Unity Plaza’s construction is nearing completion, with finishing touches going on at both HOBNOB and Sbraga & Co, two of Jacksonville’s most anticipated new restaurants which will be opening this fall.
Besides these fanatic restaurants, we are very excited about the new on-site WJXT studio. Say what?? On October 26 at 11 am, River City Live, a brand new show about Jax events, people and places, will officially air from Unity Plaza. We can’t wait to catch the first episode! Be sure to tune in!
The amphitheater park will feature outdoor restaurants and a fixed space for performances. Jason Faulkner, architect of Studio9, spoke about his inspiration behind creating a landmark of Jacksonville out of a retention pond. “This is the beginning of so much more than a blank canvas,” he said. “It’s about creating a legacy.” Unity Plaza is definitely a legacy that we are excited to witness.
One of the things we love the most about Unity Plaza is that it’s a non-profit. Executive Director Jen Jones has said, “We are not just a non-profit; we are a partner for non-profits.” The idea is to unite the Jacksonville community at this park, which already has a billion events lined up, including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on October 2 at 8pm, a National Beer Mile Run on November 14, and UP Winter Wonderland starting December 26. Feeling bored on a Friday night? Chances are, Unity Plaza will have something you’ll enjoy.
We loved seeing Flagship Romance perform after the ribbon cutting! They sounded wonderful, and it was great to see some Somewhere in the City friends at such a historical event for Jacksonville.
Somewhere in the City is always looking for new people to meet. We’re confident we’ll be meeting a ton of interesting locals at Unity Plaza. We hope to catch you there!
Eco Relics // Riverside
What happens when a love for architecture and a love for the environment meet together in Jacksonville? A 50,000 square ft, fully renovated train depot–otherwise known as Eco Relics, the place where Jacksonvillians can find just about anything. This giant, never-ending building is possible thanks to Michael and Annie Murphy. Michael, who had previously worked as a stock broker, had always loved architecture and remodeling. Annie had a background in computer software, and hated the idea of things going to waste. They put their two desires together and came up with the idea for a store that sold recycled materials, which could then be repurposed and refinished by creative customers.
Originally attracted to Jacksonville’s real estate potential, the Murphys moved from Asheville with the hopes of finding cool, old stuff in Florida. When they didn’t, they decided to hunt for themselves. Their motto? “Nothing goes in the dumpster.” Annie’s green mindset spurred the Murphys to start looking in places others might not think to look. And I don’t necessarily mean dumpster-diving. Michael and Annie explore estate sales and reconstructed houses. They also rely on the latest “Hey, we found something old you guys might like” text from their friends.
After searching all over Jax for a large enough space that didn’t require an insane amount of work, the Murphys stumbled upon the old freight depot on Stockton. When they saw it, they fell in love. (And who wouldn’t? The place is amazing.) After a year of renovations, Eco Relics opened in 2014, and is home to thousands of materials just waiting to be repurposed. Reusing, recycling, and repurposing are the three missions of Eco Relics. The store has everything from planks of wood, to toilets, to windows, to church pews, to canoes. It’s an eclectic collection that isn’t prejudiced against anyone’s decorative taste.
SitC’s new photographer, Stefanie, joined me as we explored Eco Relics and took in its vastness. Stefanie came in to take pictures, but she left with a rug she’d been searching for! See if you can spot the rug in one of her photos below.
Eco Relics wouldn’t be what it is without the help of its creative team. Designer Natalie Canty, who has fun creating vignettes around Eco Relics, has advice for those who walk into the store, scream, and then walk back out. “Just take it all in,” Natalie encourages, acknowledging how the warehouse can be overwhelming at first. “Put all your projects aside and only think about the feasible ones. Then, go home and regroup.” She gives this advice based on her own personal experiences. “I see projects everywhere here,” she admits, though she’s learned to hone in on the projects she feels she can confidently accomplish.
Media man Nate Price says his favorite part of working for Eco Relics is getting people into projects. He loves the thrill of seeing the cogs churn in someone’s mind as a formerly confusing idea turns into a solid and achievable plan.
Billy Leeka, in-house artist, has been in the business of building furniture since high school. He is currently working on turning an old dresser into a sink. (Say what?) Each new project is a challenge he can’t wait to complete. His repurposing is a self-proclaimed narcissistic process. “I get to be in people’s homes,” he says. “The furniture is part of me.” Does Billy have a favorite piece? Nope, because that would be like choosing a favorite kid.
Of course, we can’t forget to mention one of Eco Relics’ most prominent team members: Eco the cat, who appeared at the store when it opened, and hasn’t left since. Don’t worry, he’s as friendly as he is fluffy. 
Originally, Eco Relics was a place for customers to search for projects. Lately, the warehouse has taken on a more creative objective. After repeatedly hearing, “Can you make this for me?” from customers, Michael and Annie realized they needed to start taking requests. Now, Jacksonvillians can consult with Eco Relics’ creative team and have something custom-built. The Murphys are taking this a step further, and plan on opening a workshop in the section of the building that faces Stockton. The eventual goal is to teach workshop classes, and to hopefully get into some local schools. Eco Relics’ new workshop will be closed in with a fence that gives Stockton passersby a view of the workers as they use their magic to create the next rustic toilet-turned-chair. (Anything’s possible!) This open view is on par with the Murphy’s desire to build a community in Jacksonville. Already they have created relationships with interior decorators, who come into the store to build sets with Eco Relics’ materials. Eco Relics has hosted live bands and Jacksonville’s Conscious Eats, and they hope to host more.
Michael and Annie have made a dent in Riverside. Their hope is to continue the revitalization of Stockton, and to teach Jacksonvillians that nothing needs to be thrown away. They’ve fallen in love with our city, and think it’s the perfect place for their desires. “Jacksonville is ready for the green scene,” Annie says. Her favorite things about Jacksonville? The water access and the bridges.
Getting married? Eco Relics has hosted engagement and wedding shoots! Explore Eco Relics’ website, Facebook, and Instagram if a warehouse-themed photo shoot is up your ally.
If you find yourself stepping into Eco Relics and feeling overwhelmed, do as Natalie suggested, and just take it all in, go home, and regroup. Then, repurpose.
Farmers’ Row // National Farmers Market Week
Farmers’ Row at the Riverside Arts Market (RAM) makes me feel good about my weekend, and my week’s worth of veggies. While RAM has always had produce, the recently dubbed “Farmers’ Row” has been making waves by making sure 100% of its produce is local.
While Publix is a staple, it’s nice to know that there are places in town like Farmers’ Row and the Beaches Green Market that do the work of locating local neighborhood farmers for you. RAM recognized the need to deliver on their promise of “local produce” and recently hired Katie Delaney, the force behind Farmers’ Row. Katie makes regular farm visits and connects with the farmers, making sure that all the produce available at Farmers’ Row is coming from exactly where the farmers say it is, providing the best our region has to offer.
Katie approached us with a challenge in honor of National Farmers Week and asked us to come check out the market, and of course we said we’d be delighted. The challenge, you ask? To see how much groceries we could get with the $30 budget Katie gave us. I’ll be honest, we were pretty excited. We love cooking and eating, and showcasing local goods made us even happier.
We arrived a little after 10, right as the arts market opened, wanting to get there early for our selections. As we walked up and down the aisle, getting a sense of what the farmers had to offer, Becky (or Rebecca, or whatever you feel like calling her) said she makes a mean Eggplant Parmigiana, and I basically shouted my agreement. I love eggplant parm. So we made a quick list, with eggplant and tomatoes for a homemade sauce at the top of our list. We purchased five eggplants for $1 each, two buckets of tomatoes at $4 each, and eggs for the breading at $3/dozen, bringing our total to $16.00. 
When Becky said we’d need basil for the sauce, we were standing right in front of Maggie’s Herb Farm with a sign that said “2 herb plants for $5.” We won’t ignore a sign when it happens, so we immediately grabbed a basil and a rosemary plant. I’m not sure how many of you have purchased a packet of fresh basil from the grocery store, but it’s about the same amount, and I seem to waste half the package. Since it’s fresh cut, it dies pretty quickly. It’s been a week, and both our plants are still alive! 
We also decided to splurge on a treat for dessert. We chose Glades Ridge Dairy goat cheese truffles. Trust us. They taste way better than they sound!
After the herbs, the truffles, and a water bottle, our total for the day was $28, with $2 left. Being the pickle lovers we are, we knew we could each get 4 pickles for $2, so our last purchase of the day was some tasty pickles from Olive My Pickle!
The next day we started cooking, and let me tell you, those five eggplants made 4 trays of eggplant parm. That’s right: FOUR. With four people, we finished off a tray-and-a-half, leaving us plenty of leftovers for the week. (Yeah, like they really lasted the whole week.) While we did supplement the recipe with some panko breadcrumbs and mozzarella cheese, as well as some bread (and wine) for a hearty Italian meal, our main items were available at the market. While we chose to go the veggie route, Farmer’s Row does have meat if you are feeling more carnivorous!
On a side note, if you’re ever in the mood to fry up some eggplant parm, be sure to wipe out the cast iron skillet each time you take out the fried eggplant slices and add in some unfried ones. We were maybe just a bit too eager to hurry up our cooking and eat, which meant the panko crumbs got a little too cooked. As in, the leftover panko crumbs in the skillet turned black, and we had an interesting five minutes of figuring out how to turn off the smoke detector and the security alarm that wouldn’t stop ringing. Even after we unplugged it. We ended up sticking the security alarm outside, annoying the neighbors with the shrill ringing until it finally stopped. Cooking is always a fun adventure!
If you’re trying to eat fresh, local, and healthy food, it can be overwhelming to keep up with each and every farmer’s market in Jax. The great thing about RAM is that it’s every Saturday, at the same time, in the exact same spot! If you’ve never ventured over to Riverside Ave on a Saturday morning, you’re seriously missing out on this great opportunity to support local farmers. We here with Somewhere in the City are glad that people are moving away from microwaveable meals and toward fresh food that is grown by people you can see. We are so grateful for our local farmers and all the hard work they do to ensure that Jacksonvillians can eat food the way it was meant to be eaten.
Guess what? RAM is tomorrow. Maybe we’ll see you there!
Vagabond // Brick and Mortar
If you’ve been following Vagabond’s Facebook or Instagram, you may have heard that Vagabond is officially opening a brick and mortar in Murray Hill. You haven’t heard this new development? Well, come out from under that rock you’ve been living under! Vagabond is coming.
Last April, Somewhere in the City guest writer Jared Rypkema introduced Will Morgan to SitC followers. Read Jared’s post to learn more about Will and the origin of his passion. Then, keep reading here to get the details on the new location.
Like many other neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Murray Hill is growing. With Moon River, Community Loaves, Maple Street, Knead Bakeshop, Bold Bean Roastery, and more, Edgewood Avenue is hopping. Young businesses and families alike are flocking to this area. Will, owner of Vagabond, noticed the growth, and was smart enough to realize that Murray Hill is only going to get bigger. After searching around Jacksonville for the perfect location for Vagabond’s building, things aligned for their new spot, which is right next to Murray Hill Theatre. “When some doors open, you’d be dumb not to walk through them,” Will said. So the path was made clear, and Will ran through.
The Edgewood Avenue location will include lots of delicious baked goods and single origin coffee from roasters we know, as well as roasters Vagabond has yet to introduce us to. There’s a chance some roasting may even be done inside of Vagabond. Will is excited to welcome new staff members, whose support and hard efforts he values tremendously. “I’m going to love my staff like a really strict parent would,” he explained, emphasizing that he wants the staff to feel like a family.
Will knows the power of great coffee for neighborhoods, and wants to be a driving force behind the continuation of Murray Hill’s revitalization. In order for Vagabond to open efficiently, Will and the Vagabond family need your help! Check out their Indiegogo campaign and support them however you can. Today is the last day, so don’t be shy when it comes to donating. With your support, Vagabond can be what pushes Murray Hill’s growth over the edge.
If you’ve gotten attached to that baby blue caravan, don’t worry–it’s not going anywhere. You can still get your Vagabond fix in Hemming Park. When you’re not in Hemming, be sure to keep up with the latest remodeling updates on Vagabond’s Instagram and Facebook!
Springfield Tour of Homes
Over the weekend, we explored Springfield during the 37th Annual Historic Springfield Tour of Homes. We first learned about Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) from President Bill Hoff last March. We attended the tour last year and were able to attend again this year. If you weren’t able to attend June 6 & 7, be sure to attend next year! It is so neat to watch the progress as Springfield grows and grows. It was especially neat for Somewhere in the City to see how much had changed since last year.
Here are a few sights from the tour.
Thanks to SPAR and Wells Fargo, who sponsored the tour, and thanks to everyone who let us roam through their beautiful homes. Can’t wait until next year’s tour!
Somewhere in the City 
