Please Remove Your Motels and Lock Your Restaurants - Former Howard Johnsons - Titusville, FL

Brevard County is a sad place if you're looking for Howard Johnsons remnants. Melbourne is, while technically still standing, lacking a gate lodge or restaurant, and also a site with a ...disturbing (warning: rather involved discussion of murder) history. Cocoa Beach lost it's interesting sections many years ago, and while the "Plaza Hotel" section remains as a Double Tree, it's a later built high-rise with none of the charm. Cocoa had very well kept specimen, operating as a sketchy motel, until it's demolition was ordered and it was reduced to rubble in 2005. That leaves only one location on our roster...

Titusville. Ah, Titusville. The "Miracle City" gone bust. Titusville's Howard Johnson's initially seems a gold mine, if you read the Under The Orange Roof article on it. A beautiful, orange-roofed gate lodge. An amazingly preserved exterior.

So of course, they knocked it down in 2014, with nebulous plans for it to become condominiums.

RIP AND TEAR! - Photo courtesy Florida Today

However, one thing remains from Howard Johnson's once vast presence on the Space Coast, and that is the restaurant of the now gone Titusville Howard Johnson's.

Okay, well, the sign isn't very interesting. And I doubt it has any origins in the HoJo days. But, I don't have a good overview shot of the building itself, so we'll start here.

The building, despite a revolving door of tenants (like many former HoJo restaurants) retains many hallmarks of it's original tenant. There's no more weather vane, but we still have the slotted piece on the roof. I also really like the large glass panel windows towards the entrance.

A nice close-up of the glass windows.

The entrance is seperated from the glass windows by some small walls; I'm unsure if the big board was once a window, but it'd fit. The "Q" is for "Quam's Kitchen", the most recent tenant here, which closed in August 2018, claiming they had been released from the lease due to repairs needed to the building.

Quam's converted some of the excess exterior space to an outdoor seating area, with a lot of big wooden fencing. Not sure how long that wheelbarrow had been there, or whether or not it was part of the landscaping.

I believe this boxy bit at the back here is just the dining room, but it seems awkwardly built. I don't believe it's an addition though, as it matches the rest of the building.

Looking out towards the Indian River, this is where we would have once seen the motel building in all it's glory. Now, it's just an empty lot, behind chain link. The news article from 2014 said that the owner had been given "a few years" to do something with the property. So far? Nothing. Not that we need more condominiums.

I only managed to pictures of the interior, however I don't think I missed much. The interior appears to be from Quam's or previous independents- none of it' exactly screams HoJo's. I do enjoy the little bird on the chalkboard back there.

The carpet's pretty funky, as is the lampshade, so maybe they're original. But I'm still not too sure. As you can see, Quam's was well closed up by this point, with all the chairs stacked up and away and the interior increasingly stripped bare.

Here's a better shot of the former motel property. Not much to see, except the lone palm tree, and a small sign. Wonder what that says?

A battered, peeling wooden sign- that is almost certainly from the HoJo days! While moldy and losing letters, the message is clear.

Please Remove Your Motels And Lock Your Restaurants.

Double-Vision and a Difficult Entrance - Anytime Fitness/Vacant (former Publix) - Titusville, FL

It's not exactly uncommon for a Publix to relocate. Publix maintains a (decently) high standard for their stores, and tends to update them with a fair regularity. If the situation is dire and other options sparse, they'll flatten the original store and a couple neighboring storefronts in the center, and build a new one on top. A lot of times, they'll build a new one in a shinier plaza, or jump ship to a former location of whatever supermarket chain they gutted like a fish earlier that week.

However, in Titusville's St John's Plaza, Publix took a different turn. Instead of expanding their existing store, nestled near the shopping strip's "corner", they abandoned their previous store and built a brand-spanking-new one further down the plaza, nuking whatever was there previously from orbit. 

The store remained vacant for a while, even keeping a glaringly obvious Publix labelscar until it was painted over. In 2018, a gym, "24/7 Workout Anytime" took over the lion's share of the store. All they left was an awkward slice, frozen in time.

Now, unfortunately, like most places I photographed, the doors here were sealed tight. However there wasn't much store left to photograph, so what I could get through the windows was basically all there was to see. Ugly shelving scars, an aging ceiling, and lots of Classy Market (likely 2.0 likely 1.0, thanks AFB) wall paint, scarred by paint blotches

Now, while I did mention the doors were locked, even if they were wide open I probably wouldn't have gotten very far.

....I think you all can piece together why.

Gender Swap - Kim's Donut & Deli (Former Mr. Donut) - Titusville, FL

Ah, Mr. Donut. Started hot on the heels of other large donut chains in 1956, it grew to over 500 locations in the United States before being unceremoniously sold to and integrated into it's one time competitor, Dunkin Donuts. After a rather rapid conversion period, that, like most Dunkin acquisitions resulted in what seemed like a lot more closures than conversions, the old Mr. Donut was left with a single location, hidden away in Illinois.

However, our tale doesn't end there, with a quiet, withering end. No, while Mr. Donut may have all but fled the United States, he's alive and well in the abroads. Better than he ever was, actually, as expansion efforts in Japan, beginning in 1971, have resulted in over 1,300 locations in an area not much bigger than California, more than double the number of US locations at their peak. There are also a further 1,800 outlets (think like a donut stand) in the Philippines, in addition to 200 full scale stores there. Then to round off the laundry list, there's 84 locations in Taiwan, 80 in South Korea, 20 in China, and a brand new location in Malaysia.

Down in Titusville however, Mr Donut is long gone.... but only in name.

Now while this building may look pretty generic, it is indeed a Mr. Donut original. Late into the company's run, they dropped the more distinctive spiky locations for this more boxy fare. It should be noted however, that this location is actually a spiky->boxy conversion, as if you look around back you can see the old spiky roof line. I don't have a photo of this sadly, as I didn't figure it out until I was messing around with Google Maps many months later, and during my visit I was more focused on getting inside.

Dipping inside, it's a nice little place, with plenty of remnants too. While the menu boards have obviously been replaced (I don't think Mr. Donut corporate would have let "BAGLES" slide) I think the donut racks are renovated Mr. Donut fixtures.

And while we're staring at them, I should note they're really good donuts. Whenever I'm in Titusville stopping here has become all but mandatory, and sometimes I almost want to force trips to go through Titusville just so I can stop here.

I'm not sure if the lady in the photo is Kim herself; but it likely is, being a very small and totally independent operation I can't imagine there are a ton of employees.

Here's the other end of the menu board- I've also heard very good things about the subs and sandwiches here, but when I was in I was in a distinctively donut mood. A bit of possibly original orange can be seen peaking out under the menu board to the left.

This post shows a bit of the counters, which I really thought I had better photos of. Maybe I was antsy because there was shock- other people in here (considering I'd spent most of the day with my camera in places thoroughly dead, that was a surprise) or maybe I was just distracted by waiting for my donut. The bizarre green-pattern vinyl was added by Kim's or the tenant before, if they existed, not Mr. Donut. They'd have a far more orange decor.

Credit Oliver Solarzano

This (sadly a bit dim) photo borrowed from Google's photos of the establishment show the biggest relic of them all: the tables! Comparing them with the fixtures present in the US' last official Mr Donut in Godfrey, IL they are almost a perfect match- this set just a fair bit more weathered.

Hopefully you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed my donut (at the time, anyways)- Brevard County is home to multiple former Mr Donuts in rather good condition, and this isn't even the only one that's still a donut shop! Or should I say Shoppe....

So until next time, this was Cape Kennedy Retail signing off in 3.... 2... 1...

Former Publix #298 - Royal Oaks Plaza - Titusville, FL (And A Former Rite Aid Too!)

Publix #298

1923 Knox McRae Dr., Titusville, FL - Royal Oaks Plaza

     This Publix store opened 1986, presumably as a relocation of the Searstown Mall Publix store. Publix remained at this location for just shy of 30 years, at which time they relocated to store #1421. Store #1421 opened in February 2015 and is located a mile to the south of this former location in the Colonial Coast Crossing shopping center (located at the intersection of SR 50 and Barna Ave.). In 2017, Legacy Charter School announced they would be opening in the old Publix building. The school opened in August 2017, although it has faced some controversy from the Brevard County School Board since its opening due to their operation standards.

     Yes everyone, Publix has left the building. For the subject of this My Florida Retail post, we will be taking a look at this abandoned Publix in Titusville. At the time I took these pictures way back when, this store had only been sitting abandoned for 6 months. I had assumed this place would be sitting empty for a while, as this store wasn't built in the greatest location to begin with. It was built in the middle of a residential neighborhood with very little other retail around it, so it's not a very attractive location for most retailers. When Publix got their opportunity to relocate to the new store on busy SR 50, one of the main East-West routes in Titusville, they took full advantage of getting the better location with better visibility. It's really no surprise that a school would ultimately be the new tenant to take over this space, as that type of reuse fits in with the mostly residential nature of the area in which this plaza was built. I'm surprised that after only two years of abandonment the landlord was able to find a new tenant, as the abandoned Florida Choice up the street waited 20 years to find itself a new tenant! Anyway, at the end of this post we will take a very quick look at the new Publix store (which really isn't anything special), but let's take this time to get a much better look at the (much more interesting) old store...

     This store was a fairly average late 1980's style Publix in just about every way. One of the typical exterior traits of this style store was the single glass vestibule with entrances on either side. This Publix also never had a pharmacy department in store, as those didn't make their debut until the year after this store opened. The replacement store does have a pharmacy department, the addition of which possibly played a role in this store's relocation too (as Publix has a very profitable pharmacy operation that is constantly expanding).

     Here we are looking across the front of Royal Oaks Plaza, as seen from the right side of the old Publix building. While the strip of stores to the left of the old Publix still had some life to it, the small strip to the right of the old Publix was completely abandoned during my visit here.

     Turning the camera a bit more to the right, here we have a closer look at only the Publix building from this angle.

     The labelscar blotch to the left was where the Publix logo once was, and the blotch to the right said "SUPER MARKET" (with the word super above the word market). This old FourSquare photo shows this place when it was still open to better visualize the old signage. Oddly enough, even though this store closed almost 4 years ago now, it still pops up on Publix's store locator with a full description of store amenities too. Just don't expect to find any of those services here now, as the only food you'll find in this place today is in the school cafeteria (and I'm sure none of you want to eat school cafeteria food!).

     Stepping onto the front sidewalk, here we have a view toward the right side of the entry vestibule.

     Close-up of the old right side entry doors. While intimidating looking, that stop sign decal on the glass actually reads "STOP - Did you remember your reusable grocery bags today?" (Everything under the STOP part got glared out for some reason). I don't recall seeing this decal at any other Publix stores I've been to.

     Standing in front of the entry vestibule (which is behind those windows to my left), here's a look down the front sidewalk in the direction of the right side of the plaza.

     Now that we've seen the right side entry doors, here's a look at the doors on the left side of the vestibule. That piece of plywood to the left side of the picture is covering the hole where Publix removed their Presto! ATM after they closed this store.

     A closeup of one of the window decals that Publix left behind.

     Looking through the door and into the vestibule. This is the typical entryway design for one of these 80's Publix stores (the single hallway surrounded by windows). Many older Publix stores from the 70's and early 80's were also remodeled to have vestibules similar to this one.

     Our first peek inside, as seen from pressing the camera against the glass of the vestibule windows. This view looks across most of the center portion of the store. The Meat and Seafood department was located along the back wall to the very left in this picture, with the Deli located to the right of that in the space where the wall projects out. This is the typical late 80's Publix layout. As for the old decor in here, the lighter pastel color remnants seem to suggest Classy Market 1.0 (as Classy Market 2.0 used a darker color scheme than this). While rolled out around 2004, Classy Market 1.0 is now essentially extinct from Publix's current fleet of operating stores. Heck, even 2008's Classy Market 2.0 is nearly extinct now that I think about it, and 2011/2012's Classy Market 2.5 is gradually getting phased out on its way to extinction as well! But that's Publix for you!

     Continuing along with out interior photos of this former Publix, this one is looks straight back toward the former meat department and seafood counter. On the other side of that wall to the left was the bakery. Frozen foods were also off to the left.

     Another look into the back of the store toward the deli. You can also see in this picture where the ceiling raises up over the grocery department, another typical trait in 70's to early 90's Publix stores.

     This photo looks straight back into the old deli department.

      The dairy department ran along the right side wall, with the old customer service desk and restrooms just out of frame from the right edge of this photo.

     Returning outside, this photo looks down the walkway leading from Publix's right side entrance to the rightmost portion of the plaza. At the far right end of the plaza is an interesting abandoned storefront that held an obscure place in Florida's retail history. If that's the case, then let's walk down there and learn more about that!...

Rite Aid / Family Dollar / Bella's Marketplace

1931 Knox McRae Drive, Titusville, FL - Royal Oaks Plaza

     Rite Aid opened at this location in 1986 with the rest of the Royal Oaks Plaza. More than likely, this location closed with the rest of the Florida Rite Aid stores in 1995. After Rite Aid closed, this space became home to a Family Dollar store, which lasted into the late 2000's. Most recently something called Bella's Marketplace was in this space, but that has since closed as well. The old Rite Aid space still sits vacant as of late 2018.

     While there are many vacant and repurposed strip mall drug store spaces out there, this one happens to hold a little bit of significance. This is one of the few ground-up built Rite Aid stores to have opened in Florida, this one opening shortly after Rite Aid entered Florida too. In 1986, Rite Aid bought Kroger's SupeRx Drug stores in Florida and a few other Southeastern states. As for Florida, Rite Aid kept their presence limited mostly to those old SupeRx stores, although a few new build strip mall Rite Aids were added during that chain's short tenure in Florida (mostly paired in strip centers with a Food Lion anchor). Back in the late 80's and early 90's, Rite Aid's small Florida presence didn't stand a chance to the long established presence from Walgreens and Eckerd, who easily crushed Rite Aid and caused them to pull out of Florida entirely in 1995.

     Here's a closeup of the old Rite Aid's exterior.

     The entryway is set up exactly like a typical older strip mall Rite Aid you'd find up north, with the single set of double doors and a few windows off to the side of the door.

     Peeking inside the old Rite Aid, it looks fairly original in here. The random fixtures you see are probably from Bella's Marketplace, although I'm not exactly sure what that was. I want to say it was a small thrift store/flea market type establishment based on those random display cases left behind.

     A more centered look into the former Rite Aid space. The back wall would have been home to the pharmacy counter, but Family Dollar covered that up before they moved in. The fluorescent strip lights are what really strike me as an original fixture to this place.

     So that concludes our look at the original Publix store and its neighboring former Rite Aid. If you're interested, this website has some pictures of what the old Publix building looks like now as Legacy Academy Charter School. The building was completely gutted inside (as would be expected for such a renovation), however the exterior appears to have been kept mostly original. With our look at the old Publix now out of the way, let's head down the road for a very quick look at the new store:

Publix #1421

2000 Cheney Highway, Titusville, FL - Colonial Coast Crossing

     Publix #1421 opened in February 2015, replacing store #298 about a mile to the north in the Royal Oaks Plaza. This store had been in the works since 2011 according to news articles, but construction was delayed slightly due to a wetland mitigation issue. This property was originally the proposed site for a Food Lion store (#958) back in the early 1990's, but that Food Lion project never came to fruition.

     To wrap up this post on former Publix #298, we will finish off with a small set of photos from the store that replaced it. I was in this store for no more than three minutes (I had a lot of other, more exciting places to photograph this evening, and a modern Publix certainly was not on my priority list), so my tour of this store won't be very comprehensive or elaborate like I'm accustomed to do.

     This exterior design has been used by Publix ever since the dawn of the Classy Market era around 2004. Publix will do custom exterior designs depending on the area or the shopping center, however this is essentially the default modern Publix design (therefore making this store even less interesting).

     The welcome sign directly inside the front door. The background is supposed to be green beans.

     A horrible picture of the deli department. The deli is located on the right side of the store, between the bakery and produce departments like you'd seen in most average Publix stores. This store uses the 45M prototype, which is the most common for a modern Publix (and can be seen in more detail here). Also in this store was the Classy Market 3.0 interior, which just about every Publix store seems to have these days.

     One of the grocery aisles. Coincidentally, it just so happens to be Retail Retell's favorite aisle, aisle 12.

     Looking across the front end in my final photo from Publix #1421. As andsome96 noted, "The painted ceiling is a nice touch. The last time Publix tried that out was in some of the stores they built in the early 2000s, in which the ductwork was painted mint green."

     Like I said before, I wasn't in here long, so six photos was all I got of this place. There's always a chance I could come back here for more photos, but I have photosets from about 3 or 4 other Publix stores that are essentially exact copies of this one, so I'm not in any rush to get back here anytime soon!

So until the next post,

AFB