Gateway Mall, Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida. The city is located on the east side of the Florida panhandle. Jacksonville began as a city in 1791. The city was originally called Cowford, but was renamed in 1822 after Andrew Jackson. Jacksonville has a number of local attractions to interest visitors or residents of the city. Jacksonville Landing, Jacksonville Riverwalks, Jacksonville Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Science and History are just part of the entertainment of the city. Part of the cities fun includes shopping malls like the Gateway Mall.

Officially the Gateway Mall is called the Gateway Town Center as part of the Northside community. Top name brand fashions, such as electronics, shoes, jewelry and more can be found at the mall. As a community center, there is quite a bit in the area around the mall to add to the shops and services inside. The Gateway Town Center was recently renovated due to damage from a hurricane a few years back. The hours the mall is open are Monday through Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 9pm, and Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

The Gateway Town Center is spread out through several buildings,though some buildings are larger than others and houses more shops than some of the smaller buildings. The Jacksonville Electric Authority, Transportation Authority, Sheriff's Office, Post Office, Publix Grocery Store, Chamber of Commerce and much more are in the Gateway Town Center. Not all shops are located outdoors. The main buildings house many of the fashion stores inside a larger section.

Some of the shops are D & R Sports Apparel, Studio Ashley Photography, Xclusions, Catos, S.O.S. Casual, S&T Men's Wear, Athlete's Foot, Sunflower Shoes, and Dots Fashions. Payless Shoes, Lemon Tree Eatery, New Colors, Gold Town, and Rainbow Apparel are a few other locations. For food you have Jamals Cafy, Subway, and other locations. Fine dining establishments are available for individuals wanting more time to sit down and enjoy the meal.

Inside the mall is rather modern, with nicely tiled floors, several potted plants, and neon signs. The outside is typical of Florida architecture. Around the town center are other major buildings such as high rises with top businesses. It is a short drive from the mall to the waterfront. Several national businesses are near the Gateway Mall. The center does lack entertainment that other Florida malls have,though there is a movie theater close to the malls center.

Jacksonville has more than the attractions listed above. For example the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is one of the largest zoos in the state. Shipwreck Island is a waterpark. It was built in 1995 with several different rides. Adventure Landing is an amusement park not too far from the mall in Jacksonville. While the mall can supply shopping for all fashion needs as well as accessories, visitors can also find other choices for after their shopping. Children especially enjoy spending time near the Gateway Tower Center Mall for shopping with top fashions.