To address this retail niche in Jacksonville, the Spevaks built their first retail developments, Arlington Road’s Arlington Plaza in 1955, Paxon Shopping Center in 1958 and Norwood’s Gateway Shopping Center in 1959. A highly successful early retail developer in Jacksonville, Spevak’s projects attracted retail chains, such as Publix and G.C. Murphy, that previously had no presence in Jacksonville.
Few people realize that Publix's first entry into Jacksonville was circa 1960 in the Gateway Shopping Center. As a more upscale gourmet-style store at the time, it didn't last long in the lower income neighborhood. Publix ultimately returned circa 1971 0r '72.
I also recall there was a Pic'N'Save store in the Edgewood center for years. I think it was where the Save A Lot is now.
