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A1A Gas Mart, 816 South 8th Street (Fernandina Beach): January 2016   5 comments

Posted at 12:33 am in closing

On my recent trip to Fernandina, I noticed that this convenience store on 8th Street (the main connector from off of the island to downtown) was closed. It's a store I've had my eye on for years as I really like the canted glass front. I believe the building has been there for my entire life (which does not make it old by Fernandina standards!), and it has to my eye a distinctive "50s" flair.

The front door sign says they are closed for remodeling: I hope this does not include razing the building and putting up something more current and less distinctive.

Written by ted on February 12th, 2016

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5 Responses to 'A1A Gas Mart, 816 South 8th Street (Fernandina Beach): January 2016'

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  1. @ted - When I saw this building the first thing that came to mind was an original McDonald's restaurant (close but no cigar). If I had money coming out the wazoo I'd turn it into a 50's style diner. Picture this......

    First remove the entrance and replace it with a set of double doors in the center (fire code would probably require this) to make it look more symmetrical.

    Put a row of booths (red and white vinyl with white Formica table tops along the front next to the slanted windows, which are totally cool.

    Add a bar with swivel stools (also decked out in red and white) and an open cooking station like Waffle House behind the columns.

    Expand the building towards the back to accommodate restrooms and food storage and prep areas.

    Definitely keep the checker board pattern on the floor (black and white would be a nice contrast to the booths).

    Trim everything out in chrome or stainless steel and add tons of neon on the outside.

    If the area out front is big enough once you get rid of the pumps and tanks and such maybe even put some covered drive-in stations or outside tables in front like Sonic.

    Of course you would have to have classic rock and roll and cry in your beer country music playing inside and out. A juke box would be nice as well...

    What do you think??

    Homer

    12 Feb 16 at 1:42 am

  2. I think it resembles an old Burger Chef building.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    12 Feb 16 at 11:29 am

  3. Or the old Bell's on Meeting Street.

    ted

    12 Feb 16 at 11:46 am

  4. What's funny to me is that not to long ago we would have looked at the first pic and said,"Wow, look how long that place has been closed. $1.99 gas!" But now...

    JBL

    12 Feb 16 at 10:56 pm

  5. I lived in that town in the '60s, I believe that that used to be a drive-in complete with short-skirted waitresses. Not roller-skating though.

    Further down there's what used to be Lassere Ford, that also has the canted glass on the showroom.

    John Clarke

    15 Apr 18 at 8:36 am

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