Historic Five Points is about to get a heavy hit of Chunky Monkey. Jacksonville officials have signed off on a new Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop, clearing the way for the national ice cream brand to move into a prominent Park Street corner across from the Five Points Theatre.
The city issued a build out permit on March 9, 2026 for the ground floor retail bay that previously housed Jane Doe Boutique. The small storefront, right in the middle of the neighborhood’s walkable strip, will be transformed into a Ben & Jerry’s shop once construction gets underway.
According to Jacksonville Daily Record, the city approved a permit for Avant Construction Group to complete an estimated $135,000 interior build out of roughly 844 square feet. The outlet also reports that two sign permits were issued January 22 to Heritage Signs Inc., each listed at $8,235, and that JAA Architecture of Jacksonville is named as the project architect in permit records.
What Ben & Jerry’s Plans To Sell
The shop’s own listing on Ben & Jerry’s identifies the location as “Jacksonville - Five Points” at 1027 Park Street and marks the store as “Coming Soon.” Company scoop shop pages outline a familiar lineup for fans: pints, cones, sundaes, shakes, non dairy and gluten free options, plus catering services and ice cream cakes.
Neighbors, Small Shops Weigh In
News of the incoming chain has stirred up a mix of excitement and anxiety on the block. Some see a leased storefront as a win for the corridor, while others worry that a national brand could nudge out the indie vibe that has defined Five Points for decades.
As reported by Resident News, owners of nearby Waffle Cone urged customers to keep backing locally owned sweet shops even as the new tenant moves in, and the Five Points Association emphasized the importance of preserving the neighborhood’s “fun, funky” character. Public filings compiled on BizProfile, drawing from state business records, list SCOOPS BY R&G, LLC (document L25000135998) with managers including Justin Renaldo and Daiana Rivera at the Park Street address.
Permits, Contractors And Next Steps
City permit records list Avant Construction Group as the contractor and JAA Architecture as the architect for the project, and plan notes show a small bench seating area inside the scoop shop, Jacksonville Daily Record reports. With signage already approved and the interior build out now cleared, the owners and contractor can begin work under the city’s inspection process. How quickly construction and inspections move will dictate when locals can actually line up for a cone.
When To Expect Scoops
Ben & Jerry’s has not announced an official opening date, according to Action News Jax. The Renaldos have told neighborhood outlets they are aiming for a spring opening. For now, Five Points residents will have to settle for peeking through the windows across from the Five Points Theatre as the space inches through the construction and inspection stages.
