The pandemic has arguably presented extra challenges for Florida’s restaurants, such as issues with staffing and supply chain disruptions.
Regrettably, some restaurants in Florida are now grappling with additional problems, including challenging encounters with the homeless population and escalating costs. This was the situation for a restaurant in northeastern Florida.
Mag’s Cafe, established in Jacksonville in 2020, occupies the space once held by the cherished Magnificent Cafe, which had been in operation for 17 years, as reported by Downtown Jacksonville. In homage to The Magnificent Cafe, Mag’s has continued to offer a selection of local favorites while introducing its own specialties like wraps, quiches, and a vegan menu.
Upon its opening, Mag’s presented reasonably priced items, with The Jax Daily Record highlighting that most dishes fell within the $7-$12 range.
Receiving a commendable 4.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp, Mag’s earned praise from patrons for its laid-back atmosphere and amiable staff.
Aaron, the final reviewer, wrote:
It’s just getting to the point where stress and anxiety is just not worth the time and effort that we have to do. What pushed me over the edge was the last couple of weeks, I actually had a couple of my employees assaulted by homeless individuals. We reached out to JSO and they really haven’t been able to help us resolve those situations.
Closure: In October 2023, according to Bobby Reynolds, the owner, he reportedly informed News 4 Jax that the decision to shut down was prompted by challenges with staffing, rising food costs, and concerns about safety attributed to certain homeless individuals. Reynolds conveyed to the station:
It’s just getting to the point where stress and anxiety is just not worth the time and effort that we have to do. What pushed me over the edge was the last couple of weeks, I actually had a couple of my employees assaulted by homeless individuals. We reached out to JSO and they really haven’t been able to help us resolve those situations.
Reynolds informed the station that he remains uncertain about returning to the restaurant industry. As per Jax Today, Owens allegedly cited the “homeless situation” as the reason for the restaurant’s closure.
In December 2022, First Coast News disclosed an estimated 3,400 homeless individuals in Jacksonville.
