ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — Something is happening on Mayport Road.
Call it a renaissance. Call it gentrification. Call it what you want, but it’s still happening.
Let's go back 20 years. The Mayport area had a reputation of being a hardened fishing community full of old sailor types, cat ladies and a few shady characters.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still like that, but there’s a bit more happening too.
Businesses, artists, makers and shakers are all flocking to Mayport to set up shop in one of the last areas of the beaches that still remains relatively affordable.
Additionally, the City of Atlantic Beach says for several years, private investors have looking to Mayport Road for revitalization and investment.
And why wouldn't they? The area is home to one of the largest Navy bases in the Southeast, has beautiful quiet beaches, is the focal point of a flourishing seafood industry.
The landscape of Mayport Road is changing at such a supersonic rate, that in 10 years, the entire area will be completely unrecognizable.
If you brew it, they will come
Since opening in the Fall of 2018, Atlantic Beach's Reve Brewing has quickly become a favorite of craft beer drinkers in Jacksonville. From their weekly can releases and impeccable selection of hazy IPA’s, people from all over the beaches continue to flock to their taproom on Mayport Road.
They took a risk. Atlantic Beach Brewing Company had just opened that previous year a little over a mile away in what seemingly was a better location in terms of visibility and foot traffic. But the folks at Reve knew what they were doing and continued to trudge onwards by providing a space that was unlike anything on that stretch of roadway at the time.
An environment that encouraged consumers to make that left turn on Mayport Road instead of continuing straight towards the bars and restaurants at the Beaches Town Center.
Reve proved it could be done.
This year, Grey Matter Distillery, the makers of Carve Vodka, opened a new 2600-square-foot space at 1221 Mayport Road.
Additionally, there are rumors circling about a ‘Mayport Brewing Company’ coming to the space just south of Terry’s Country Store.
All this in a span of less than three years not only says something about the area's growth, but it's growing curb appeal to the younger generation of craft beer/spirit enthusiasts.
Artsy Fartsy
The Atlantic Beach Arts Market, established in November 2018, is a 5,000 square foot creative space featuring over 90 local artists and vendors, a learning studio and more.
Situated on Mayport Road, the facility has become a place for artists to sell their work, teach classes and learn from others. It was a place much needed in a community chock-full of talented artists.
Then the murals came.
Back in April, ArtRepublic’s “enLIGHTen” Art Festival helped bring colorful murals to the Mayport Corridor area. The project completely transformed a worn down storage facility into a stunning display of colors and brightness.
The art festival was featured in Forbes and regarded as an example of the transformative and collective power that art can have on a community.
"The finished product is unprecedented for the Jacksonville area, reminiscent of street art’s modern epicenter at Wynwood Walls in southern Florida," writes Chad Scott. "It should serve as an example for public officials, private business and residents in the area about the transformative power of art, inspiring each to become a catalyst for the next civic art project, and the next, and the next."
Eats and Treats
If you know anything about Navy sailors, know this. They can eat.
With the Naval Base being so close, it's a common sight to see sailors in full uniform running out for a quick bite in the Mayport area. The pandemic changed a few things, but the restaurants are still there.
Hangar Bay Cafe and Gallery is one of Jacksonville's hidden gems if you're into mouth watering, southern fried goodness.
Once nominated by Insider as having Best Fried Chicken in Florida, Hangar Bay has put Mayport on the map in recent years for their delicious fusion of southern cooking and Asian inspired cuisine.
If you're not into fried chicken, you can check out the plethora of food trucks that come on select Fridays and Saturdays to the Cultural Corridor. Remember those murals we talked about earlier? Same spot.
The food truck meetup features bands, craft vendors, activities, sweet treats, craft beer and so much more.
The food truck events have created a space where the community can come together in a new way and provides a melting pot of camaraderie amongst locals and tourists alike.
What's next?
The socioeconomic status of people living near Mayport Road is shifting.
Apartment buildings with upscale amenities are starting to be built that cater to a disposable income-type crowd and new businesses are popping up, such as Mayport Comedy Club, that hope to draw people into the area for more than just necessity, but instead, pleasure.
The whole landscape of the area is changing and slowly starting to bleed its way northward.
While it may benefit some, it may also push hardworking Navy and blue collar families further away from the beaches.
Only time will tell. Until then, see ya around the port'.
Casey Feindt is the Digital Content manager for First Coast News.