Curious Jax: Whole Foods is still a go in Jacksonville Beach

Question: A number of years ago it was announced that Whole Foods was coming to an existing strip mall in Jacksonville Beach around 2021. That mall is being worked on, but there is no mention of Whole Foods. Is it still coming there?

K.H. and D. H., Atlantic Beach

Dear K.H. and D.H.: You’ll be happy to know that it’s still on track to go into Pablo Plaza at 1822 Third St. S. in Jacksonville Beach. And it may be a little earlier than originally anticipated.

Regency Centers Corp. is the property’s landlord. Whole Foods is to occupy 34,400 square feet in what was once the Office Depot site.

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Eric Davidson, spokesman for Regency Centers, said construction is projected to be finished in mid-2020. Then the space will be turned over to Whole Foods to finish any needed construction. After that, it will follow Whole Foods’ timetable. No new information is available about the store.

The lease was signed in 2015. It will be Whole Foods’ second Jacksonville-area location. It also has a store in Mandarin that opened in 2008 at Mandarin Landing at 10601 San Jose Blvd.