Jacksonville

New Bookstore and Wine Concept Planning in Jacksonville

The Books Cellar will offer lounge-style seating, curated titles, and self-pour wine in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Books Cellar is targeting an early to mid-April opening at 3861 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207, owner Patrick Madigan told Business Debut. Madigan is opening the concept alongside his wife, Sandra Madigan, in a renovated historic strip center on Hendricks Avenue with rear parking and a main entrance in the back of the building.

The Books Cellar will be located in a renovated historic strip mall that is part of Miramar Center on Hendricks Avenue, with rear parking and the main entrance in the back of the building.

What to Expect

The Books Cellar is a new bookstore combined with a coffee shop and wine retailer. The name is a nod to the former B. Dalton Book Cellar chain, with a play on “cellar” to reflect the wine focus.

The 3,400-square-foot space is designed to seat 54 guests, arranged in lounge-style vignettes with couches, chairs and bistro tables. Service will be counter-based, with staff delivering items to guests depending on volume.

In addition to coffee and wine by the glass, the shop will feature three taps of local beer and a self-pour wine dispenser system. Guests will use an RFID card to sample or pour varying quantities of red and white wines, including selections sourced from France and other smaller producers. Bottles will also be available for retail purchase.

Food offerings will include locally sourced pastries, breads, charcuterie and light breakfast items. Madigan said the team is partnering with Jacksonville-based roasters and food producers, with some vendors located near the store.

A private meeting room seating up to 12 people will be available for book clubs, teleconferences and small business meetings. The room includes full telecommunications capabilities and may be reserved or rented depending on use.

Madigan, a former restaurant worker and middle school science teacher, said the concept centers on creating a community gathering space.

“We wanted to have a community based gathering place where people could come together and have a nice atmosphere, nothing rushed, nothing too fancy, just to sit back, enjoy some good coffee, some good wine and a good book,” he told Business Debut.

The bookstore will primarily carry new titles, with approximately 1,100 curated selections focused on adult genres such as travel, food, wine, fiction and young adult. Mandy Heaton, a librarian, will curate the book selection and oversee book clubs, which may include paired wine or coffee selections tied to each title.

Luke Shasser has been hired as manager and brings experience running food service operations. The ownership team is also pursuing sommelier certifications.

Opening Timeline

The Books Cellar is targeting an early to mid-April opening, pending final permitting and buildout.

Hours

Planned hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Sundays may feature a reservation-only high tea service for three to four hours with tea, finger sandwiches and pastries.