Daily Record Financial News &
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Vol. 103, No. 009 • One Section
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‘It wasn’t just the food’
Two Doors Down waitresses Martha Mathews, left, and Dottie Hodges, right, were joined Wednesday by former waitress Katy Braswell, who worked at the Brooklyn restaurant when it opened in 2009.
Jaguars will face Colts in London
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
Restaurant’s final days conjure up memories
By Karen Brune Mathis Managing Editor
Norm Abraham closed the door on an era Wednesday. The 74-year-old restaurateur served his last scrambled eggs, beef tips, baked chicken, vegetable plates, chef’s salad and tabouleh to loyal customers at his Brooklyn landmark, Two Doors Down. “I don’t want to sound sad,” Abraham said Tuesday as some
customers came in for their last meals or next-to-last, hoping to return at least once more. “It’s been fun coming to work every day. I have the best customers in the world,” he said. Wednesday was busy with well wishes, hugs, photos, gifts and goodbyes. By noon, the dining room was full and guests kept coming. Those customers say they don’t know where they will find what they had at Abraham’s. They cite
the fast and friendly service of the nine-member team; the food from Abraham’s business partner and cook, Enos “Whitey” White Jr.; and the convenience of the 436 Park St. location. Perhaps most of all, they will miss each other. “It wasn’t just the food. It’s the friends,” said regular Richard Gropper, major gifts officer with the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter. He returned for lunch Two Doors continued on Page A-4
A lot to be thankful for
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be off to London a little earlier next year to face a familiar foe. The team and the NFL announced Wednesday the Jaguars would kick off the annual UK International Series against division rival Indianapolis on Oct. 3, Week 4 of the season. The earliest the team previously played overseas was Oct. 25, which happened this year against the Buffalo Bills — their first win in London since the annual trips began in 2013. It also will be the next opportunity for area business and elected officials to blitz London business executives. One recent win from the annual trips was the announcement last week that Resource Solutions, a London-based international recruitment outsourcing company, would make Jacksonville its next global services center and create 75 jobs. That decision was finalized during a meeting between company and Jacksonville officials during the economic development trip that accompanies each Jaguars international game. “I think it was a very successful trip,” said City Council President Greg Anderson. “It leveraged the NFL experience and the Jaguars to give the city a platform to tell its story.” Anderson said the trips also align with the work Jaguars President Mark Lamping and others in terms of diversifying revenue streams. The Colts will be the first divisional opponent the Jaguars face at “home” in its games abroad, which have been extended until 2020. By playing the Colts, it leaves local fans slated to see the typical AFC South rivals as well as the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and an AFC North opponent for next year. The Packers game, especially, was one that was coveted. Lamping in July told The Florida TimesUnion the Packers game would remain in Jacksonville, squashing rumors the historic team — and its national, traveling fan base — would bypass Jacksonville for another decade or so. dchapman@jaxdailyrecord.com
Public
Special to the Daily Record
By David Chapman Staff Writer
Mike Hightower and his granddaughter, Gracie.
Mike Hightower, JEA chief public affairs officer “The Hightower family is so blessed this Thanksgiving holiday to have Miss Gracie as part of our family. It just doesn’t get any better than having this beautiful, funny and wonderful granddaughter.”
Tommy and Carol Hazouri with son, Tommy Jr., and daughter-in-law, Danielle.
Tommy Hazouri City Council member and former mayor
State Attorney Angela Corey by a portrait of former State Attorney Ed Austin.
“I am thankful for my family, country and the citizens of Jacksonville who have supported me during my many years of public service.”
“I am thankful we have finally moved into our new State Attorney’s Office, which the taxpayers have graciously provided to us. It was my honor to have this building named after my former boss, the greatest state attorney, Ed Austin.”
legal notices begin on page
A-9
Angela Corey, state attorney
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