CHAMBLIN'S UPTOWN — Restaurant in Jacksonville

ZERO stars because a Chamblin's Bookmine employee STOLE MY PHONE!!! Or rather, they tried and failed. My advice: Keep your phone close and don't trust ANY of the employees. They will cover for each other including the manager. I don't live in Jax and was eager to see the store my friend had raved about. While perusing the book stacks, I noticed I'd misplaced my black Samsung Note with a green protective case with black fabric credit card holder on the back (Note: It was very distinctive.). I went searching in the area I knew I'd put it down. It was the Fantasy section at Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Thank the light there was another customer, a good Samaritan, who had taken the time to turn it in to the front desk. As I approached the desk I asked a youngish man who had dark hair if they had my phone. He indicated no one had turned in a phone. The place was busy and there were a number of employees working at the desk. I went back to the young man who turned it in and he politely agreed to show me the EXACT person he handed the phone. He pointed out at an employee with a distinctive grey cap (not a baseball cap, but the exact hat a co-worker of mine wore when we worked at Borders Bookstore. It's not a beret, but denotes the character of "I am intelligent and/or cultured just look at my hat kinda vibe." ) He wasn't any of those things. As we came to stand in front of him, the dude (not making any eye contact) literally whips out a white Note Five with a green protective case like mine, twisting it in back and forth in front of us. The grey hatted perp said something to the effect of, "I've got the same phone and I lost it in the store," as he mumbled a 'Thanks' to the good Samaritan. Now, I KNEW he was LYING. First, the good Samaritan described my phone exactly. Second, I never told the perp my phone's DESCRIPTION. I watch Law & Order and knew in my gut, "This dude is try'n to pull a fast one and steal my phone!!!" Blood and Bloody Ashes. I was pissed. I'm tenacious when it comes to someone trying to lie to me and, even worse, a liar with sticky fingers. Thankfully, intelligence was not something that the Grey perp was acquainted with, unlike my husband who was in London, England. I phoned him up and explained the situation as we left the store for a bit. My spouse proceeded to connect with our home computer in the US. Fortunately, the perp had no idea that my phone could be tracked by GPS and that my husband had the capacity to "ding" its location quite loudly for 5 minute increments. My friend and I came back into Chamblin's on a search and, hopefully, discover not destroy mission as I wanted my bloody phone back!!! We both noticed a door cracked open held by a chair while searching...we opened it and saw the grey perp with the black haired dude throwing out books into a huge metal garbage dumpster. I backed out of the doorway and proceeded to text my husband...."Ding the Locator NOW." Lo and behold, a miracle happened...black hair dude, who was now an accomplice AND complicit in the crime, suddenly comes back into the store and 'finding me' says, "Hey, weren't you looking for a phone. I think I've found it." Meanwhile the grey perp had disappeared. Black Hair accomplice dude, climbs INTO the dumpster and 'discovers' my phone. Now, you would think that management would be concerned with an employee with sticky fingers. Either to review hiring procedures or a possible visit from the police. Alas, the exact opposite is true. My friend and I stood in front of the white haired aged manager who studiously talked on the phone, pointedly ignoring us as we loudly bespoke our grievances. He would NOT get off the phone. By this time, I was done and just thankful I had gotten my phone back. Btw, watch out for the dark haired, fairly tall chick was right beside me as we tried to talk to the manager. Yes, I knew you were texting the perp. I should have called you out, but, like I said, intelligence nor sense of right and wrong are NOT what you will find...

Chamblin's Uptown: My Experience in Jacksonville, Florida

Introduction: Nestled in the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, Chamblin's Uptown is a literary haven that has captivated the minds and hearts of book lovers for decades. As an avid reader and a resident of this vibrant city, I have had the pleasure of immersing myself in the enchanting world of literature within the walls of this iconic bookstore. In this essay, I will delve into my personal experiences at Chamblin's Uptown, exploring its rich history, diverse collection, and the unique atmosphere that makes it a cherished gem in Jacksonville.

Paragraph 1: Chamblin's Uptown, established in 1976, stands as a testament to the enduring love for books and the power of literature. Located in the historic district of Jacksonville, this bookstore has become an integral part of the city's cultural fabric. Its founder, Ron Chamblin, envisioned a space where book enthusiasts could gather, explore, and indulge in their passion for reading. Over the years, Chamblin's Uptown has evolved into a literary sanctuary, attracting locals and visitors alike. One of the most remarkable aspects of Chamblin's Uptown is its vast and diverse collection of books. Spanning multiple genres, from classic literature to contemporary fiction, this bookstore boasts an extensive range of titles that caters to every reader's taste. As I peruse the shelves, I am constantly amazed by the sheer variety and depth of the collection. Whether I am searching for a rare first edition or a newly released novel, Chamblin's Uptown never fails to deliver.

Beyond its impressive collection, Chamblin's Uptown offers a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other bookstores. The labyrinthine layout of the store, with its maze-like corridors and hidden nooks, creates an air of mystery and adventure. Each visit feels like embarking on a literary treasure hunt, as I navigate through stacks of books, discovering hidden gems along the way. The cozy reading corners and comfortable seating areas invite readers to lose themselves in the pages of their chosen books, fostering a sense of community and shared love for literature.

Moreover, Chamblin's Uptown serves as a hub for literary events and gatherings, further enriching the cultural landscape of Jacksonville. From book signings to author readings, the store regularly hosts events that bring together writers and...

I'm new to Jax. I work downtown. I've tried this location a couple of times because they have a couple of vegan friendly options in the cafe. I mostly go for convenience. But I'm done. The customer service is inconsistent, mostly bad. I've noticed the staff are abrupt, barely greet you and don't often make eye contact when speaking to you. Today one of the girls working there reprimanded me for asking for a regular size tea. She was a petite white girl with a short pixie cut. Her comment, "I don't know what regular means. It's small, medium or large." Her attitude was inappropriate and rude. I called her out on her rude behavior. They even have a rude note at the register indicating they don't know what "regular" means. I'm assuming this rude person wrote it. I've heard other people ask for a regular size option without getting any flack. However, she felt compelled to rudely correct me. They don't care about customers and the customer experience. When she brought my tea out she just put it on the counter and walked off. Did not acknowledge me at all. I was speaking to someone, so she didnt even bother to announce that my order was ready. This girl has been there the last few times I was there and she's always abrupt. I've had enough. I don't need to pay for bad service. I will not be returning. There are other vegan friendly cafes downtown. I'll give Urban Grind my business on a more regular basis.

I’m updating my review as of February 13, 2018. I didn’t think I’d return to Chamblins, but I gave it another shot. I have to say they have a completely different team of people on staff. And the infamous sign about regular size options is gone! 😀 I routinely get good service. I’m working back downtown so I’m in there several times a week. The vegan options are amazing. Try the Jerk Tempeh wrap if you...