Jacksonville halal grocery store attempting to add meat processing facility on its Beach Boulevard property

A halal grocery store in Jacksonville is attempting to add a meat processing facility to its Beach Boulevard property, marking its second attempt in less than a year to do so, following a similar request that was withdrawn in April 2024.

According to our partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record, Apna Bazar plans to expand its current operation with a 30,000-square-foot addition and build a 23,800-square-foot freestanding structure to the east of the shopping center.

Meat processing for the facility’s on-site butchery would take place in the new structure, which would include a warehouse, storage space and retail storefronts, the JDR reported.

To complete its vision, Apna Bazar requested a land-use amendment and rezoning, which was expected to go before the Jacksonville Planning Commiss