Community News 5
Ponte Vedra Recorder · September 24, 2015
Native Sun Jacksonville Beach General Manager Richie Whitson cuts the ribbon at the grand
opening of the new store while Jacksonville
Beach Mayor Charlie Latham and Native Sun
founder, Aaron Gottlieb (far right) look on.
Photos by Carrie Resch / The Recorder
Meredith Corey-Disch of Community Loaves.
The local bread company will be delivering
fresh baked goods to the store three times per
week.
Crowds gather for new Native Sun Jax Beach grand opening
Carrie Resch
The Recorder
If there were any doubts how Native Sun Natural Foods Market would
be received in the beaches area, all
doubts were erased during the grand
opening and ribbon cutting celebration held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.
19.
Hundreds turned out to in the early
morning hours, standing in a line that
wrapped around the shopping center
where Native Sun is located, enduring
occasional drizzles of rain. Customers were hoping to be one of the first
250 customers Saturday to receive $50
worth of free groceries. The day also
included samples from local vendors
including Community Loaves, Bold
Bean, Olive My Pickle and Fresh Jax
and giveaways.
Native Sun was founded by
Jacksonville native Aaron Gottlieb
in 1996. This is the third location
for Native Sun, the other stores are
located on Baymeadows Rd. and
San Jose Blvd. Opening a beaches
location was something Gottlieb had
wanted to do since the nineties, but
finding the right location was key.
The natural food store offers foods
geared towards a healthy lifestyle, such
as grass-fed beef and dairy products
free of synthetic growth hormones and
antibiotics. All of the produce is 100
percent organic.
In addition to groceries, Native Sun
offers fresh juice and smoothies, a salad bar, gluten-free bakery, desserts, nu-
trition section, bulk items, eco-friendly
cleaning supplies and pet food.
A large portion of the store is
dedicated to a seating area so that
customers can sit down and eat with a
selection from the deli or a self-serve
item.
Native Sun is located at 1585 Third
St. N., Jacksonville Beach. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday,
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. For more information, visit
www.nativesunjax.com.
DelaFina Racing group with Mel Gottlieb, Native Sun founder Aaron Gottlieb’s father. The
amateur women’s racing team is sponsored by
Native Sun.
Brothers Austin and Justin Stubblefield of Stubbees.
The Jacksonville Beach Native Sun location held a grand opening and ribbon
cutting celebration Saturday, Sept. 19 that was attended by city officials and local
business owners including Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham and members
of the JAX Chamber Beaches Division.
Richards Mattress &
Wicker Warehouse
1079 Atlantic Blvd. • Atlantic Beach
Next to Elvis’s Upholstery
249-3541 M-S • 11-5:30 • Sunday • 1-5
www.richardsmattressandwicker.com