JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Developers recently purchased property on Jacksonville's Northside where a daycare center sits, as there's a possibility for it to be transformed into a retail store.
Nearby residents are worried the business will be another liquor store or smoke shop. The property is located at the intersection of Soutel Drive and Archery Avenue.
Neighbors express how they want the convenience to visit nearby businesses, however, they feel as if there are not many options to choose from.
Devine Williams says she doesn't want to spend money at a place that contributes to smoking and drinking.
"There's nothing but liquor stores," Williams said. "There's more liquor stores than we got drug stores. There's so much you can do versus feeding our vices and stuff. That's not really gonna help anybody."
What bothers Williams is how the property is a short walk to a different daycare center. Plus, there is a liquor store less than a mile away.
First Coast News reached out to the property owner regarding residents' concerns. He says the property was for sale and it passed the survey. The owner confirmed it is not likely the business would be a liquor store; liquor licenses are too expensive, he said.
However, the owner mentioned the property could turn into a corner store or smoke shop. He says he's willing to speak to Councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman and members of the community, so they can come up with a solution.
"Y'all need to get out here and see what the people actually need, for real," Williams said.
First Coast News previously reported about another business Northside residents did not want. The city of Jacksonville had to purchase property that would have been a liquor store near KIPP Voice Academy.