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Friday, May 4, 2018
Vol. 105, No. 120 • One Section
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SUNTRUST TOWER: ‘THE SHINY NEW PENNY’ Special to the Daily Record
Christine Barone was an investment banker and then a Starbucks executive before becoming CEO of True Food Kitchen in 2016.
True Food Kitchen’s healthy concept CEO Christine Barone says St. Johns Town Center location, resident demand brought chain to city. By Karen Brune Mathis Editor True Food Kitchen CEO Christine Barone expects North Florida residents will enjoy the opportunity to dine on the company’s health-driven, seasonal food. “We will find lots of guests in Jacksonville interested in eating well and eating great food,” Barone said. True Food was developed in 2008 by entrepreneur Sam Fox with alternative medicine celebrity doctor Andrew Weil. The casual-dining brand says it emphasizes simple ingredients and preparation to highlight natural health benefits. It offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as meats and fish. Support of the Jacksonville restaurant, which Barone expects will open by year-end, is indicated by prospective customers who want it here. “We’ve gotten messages from guests in Jacksonville to say to please open in Jacksonville,” said Barone, who is accustomed to such requests, including from her sister in Orlando. Barone said Phoenix-based True Food Kitchen, with 22 restaurants operating in 10 states, signed a lease with Simon Prop-
Photo by Max Marbut
Colliers International Executive Vice President Chuck Diebel and Senior Associate Lisa McLatchey represent the recently renovated SunTrust Tower Downtown at 76 S. Laura St.
Downtown building attracting tenants after $2 million renovation. By Max Marbut Associate Editor After about $2 million in improvements, SunTrust Tower at 76 S. Laura St. is Downtown’s most recently renovated Class A office space. “We are the shiny new penny,” said Celeste MacDonald, on-site property
manager for the building’s owner, Mainstreet Capital Partners Inc. The Fort Lauderdale-based company purchased the building three years ago for $31.1 million and invested about $2 million for mechanical improvements, renovation of the common areas and restrooms and installation of amenities. Colliers International Senior Vie Pres-
ident Chuck Diebel said long-term tenants are expanding their presence and interest in the building from prospective tenants has been growing. The Morgan & Morgan law firm expanded its space by about 25 percent, now occupying more than two floors, SunTrust
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Grace Aerospace seeking $100,000 in incentives Company that builds equipment for military aircraft would hire 20 full-time employees. By David Cawton Staff Writer Grace Aerospace LLC seeks city and state incentives to expand its West Jacksonville presence at Cecil Commerce Center.
Through legislation filed Wednesday, the New Yorkbased manufacturer of wire harnesses and other electronic equipment for military aircraft wants $100,000 in incentives in exchange for hiring 20 full-time
employees and to move into a second facility. The expansion would be the second for the company in Jacksonville since it arrived in 2015. According to a legislative fact sheet, the employees must be hired no later than year-end 2020 with average annual salaries of at least $50,675. Grace Aerospace must hire 10
employees per year in 2019 and 2020. The incentives come from a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund grant worth $5,000 for each new employee, up to $100,000. The city would be responsible for 20 percent, or $1,000 per Grace
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Barone
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You should know ... Kinita King
2018 All Council chair of the JAX Chamber councils focuses on education. Public
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