Iconic Jacksonville art supply store is changing management and locations, but not legacy

The iconic Reddi-Arts supply store in Jacksonville almost faced the end of its 67-year legacy until a new owner saved the store from going out of business.

A colorful mural painted by local artists covers the prominent storefront on Hendricks Avenue in San Marco. The change, however, will mean a relocation of the store to 1731 N. Main St. in Springfield.

Started in 1942, Reddi-Arts is considered to be the oldest arts supply shop in Northeast Florida and attracts thousands of artists every year.

The store was created by Jack Bear in 1942. Because his wife was an artist, he realized there were other artists in the community in need of supplies. Bear then offered to pass on the store in 1982 to Bruce Meiselman, who gladly accepted.

The family business consists of employees who are artists and creative individuals themselves.

“This is really a community-based store,” said Patty Lorimier, manager of the frame department and curator of gallery artwork for Reddi-Arts. “We have loyal customers that have been coming to the store for decades. When some people found out about the store almost closing, they almost stopped making their artwork because of how much this place means to them.”

After being the owner for 37 years, Meiselman made the plan to retire and sell the property in order to give himself more leisure time. Before selling the business, Meiselman sold the land and property first to Michael Balanky, founder of Chase Properties.

According to Meiselman, Balanky plans on turning the two buildings that make up the store into separate restaurants.

“I got to the age of 70 and started realizing I needed to make retirement plans,” Meiselman said. “My children were not interested in taking over the business, so when buyers had started reaching out to me, I figured I would finally sell the property.”

As such, the store was in need of a new owner who would continue the mission of serving artists.

Kelly McCormick recalls seeing the ad for the opportunity in a post one of her friends shared on Facebook. Almost immediately she reached out to Meiselman to express her interest in being the future owner.

Meiselman said McCormick was the perfect candidate, with her arts degree in animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design and experience as a graphic designer for her father’s doctor’s office.

Coincidentally, Meiselman and McCormick were the same age, 33, when they obtained the store.

As the new owner, she plans to preserve the authenticity of the store by keeping all 11 employees. However, one drastic change to be made in the near future is the store will be the relocation to Springfield.

McCormick said Springfield was the ideal location because it was not only close enough to the current space everyone knows and loves, but it was part of a neighborhood the store would fit into perfectly.

She also said it has not yet been confirmed as to when the store will officially move as there is still much to be done to finalize plans. The Hendricks location only has four months left on its lease, but there is a possibility the store might have to pursue lease extensions while it undergoes the moving process.

If lease extensions will not be possible, the store will move to a temporary location across the street from the Springfield spot.

In addition to the changing of store locations, McCormick also hopes to introduce new products for those who have an interest in Cosplay and 3D printing. However, she said it will be important for her to gauge how much space she has to work with before she can release details about which new products will be offered.

As a part of rebranding, McCormick plans to change the logo and alter the aesthetics of the store so it is brighter, more colorful and has her personalized touch.

She has not confirmed details as to whether the Springfield building will have colorful murals decorating the storefront nor if Balanky will keep the murals for the restaurants on Hendricks.

She also hopes to appeal to new customers and younger customers by being a one-stop shop for everything except for fabric. This way, she believes, the company will be able to grow even further.

Regardless of these changes, McCormick said she wants to stay true to Reddi-Arts’ legacy. She wants people to walk into the new location and feel like they are still coming back to the same store.

“I could have started my own arts store and bought the products and hired people, but I feel like I have the responsibility to carry on what everyone knows and loves,” McCormick said.

“When Bruce decided to sell it to me, he’s trusting me with his baby and now I have to live up to that. I want to not just have a store and be here for the next five years, but the next 40 years and eventually pass it on to the next generation.”

Sara Albertelli: (904) 359-4097