Work has begun to demolish the interior of Downtown’s closed Burger King to become GŪD Essence, a cannabis products retailer from Miami that intends to expand in the state.

The city issued a permit Sept. 5 for S.R. Construction Services LLC of Palm City for “interior exploratory demolition only” of the 4,111-square-foot building at 210 E. State St.

The project identifies Miami-based GŪD Essence as the tenant.

“The Downtown Jacksonville site gives us the opportunity to revitalize an existing building and bring new life to the urban core. We see downtown as a growing, dynamic community, and we want our first Northeast Florida dispensary to reflect that energy and accessibility,” said GŪD Essence CEO Jasmine Johnson by email Sept. 24.

She said GŪD Essence is a cannabis and wellness brand “dedicated to cultivating premium products and meaningful community experiences.”

“More than a dispensary, it is a cultural movement rooted in education, empowerment, and holistic healing. Supported by a strong research and cultivation team, GŪD Essence delivers science-driven cannabis solutions that improve quality of life for patients and consumers across Florida.”

Orlando-based Alakai Capital bought the Downtown block that was the home of Burger King for $1.5 million on June 2.

The site is bounded by State, Market, Union and Newnan streets.

Alakai Capital Principal Nick Jones said Sept. 26 that Jacksonville differs from other Florida cities in that there is opportunity, energy and movement Downtown.

The site is not far from the Gateway Jax residential and retail Pearl Square development as well as near Eastside, Springfield, the Sports & Entertainment District and other neighborhoods and projects.

“Downtown is incredible right now with growth and the number of players and projects going forward,” Jones said. He also said the Brooklyn area of Downtown and the Riverwalk extensions are examples of progress.

“It’s very different than any other cities in Florida.”

Jones said GŪD Essence likes being Downtown close to residents, such as those expected in the Gateway Jax apartments under construction and planned.

He said Alakai is cleaning up the Burger King site and modernizing the building. He expects it to open in early 2026.

Jones said the GŪD Essence is “really on point today. It’s airy, it’s green.”

    Johnson said GŪD Essence entered the Florida medical cannabis market this year through a partnership and is seeking approval from the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use. 

She said she cannot share specifics of the partnership until the transaction closes.

Johnson said the near-term plan is to open four flagship dispensaries in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando. Tampa remains part of the plans but will open later.

The goal is to reach at least 20 dispensaries statewide over the next two years, with all openings subject to regulatory approvals and permitting.

Photo by Joe Lister

Johnson said Jacksonville will serve as GŪD Essence’s Northeast Florida flagship.

“We are actively evaluating additional sites in the region to expand patient access,” she said.

A GŪD Essence sponsorship program says it expects grand openings Oct. 15 to Dec. 15.

About GŪD Essence

The Gudessence.com site says the brand “provides premium cannabis products and wellness experiences — thoughtfully crafted to educate, empower, and elevate the Florida community.”

The site says that the brand, formerly known as Green Essence Florida, became GŪD Essence “after eight years of grit, purpose, and preparation.”

“We’re proud to share a new chapter in our journey,” it says.

“This transition isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a reflection of our growth, our evolution, and the communities we serve.

GŪD Essence,

It explains that the “Ū” in GŪD Essence “symbolizes the intention behind everything we do.”

“We are a Florida-grown, Black-led medical cannabis company that believes healing should be holistic, access should be equitable, and the cannabis industry should reflect the very people it was built upon,” it says.

“Our commitment to compassion, authenticity, and wellness is at the heart of every decision we make, from our cultivation practices to our retail experience.”

Green Essence and GŪD Essence are led by Jasmine Shay Johnson and John Henry Johnson Jr.

The site says that GŪD Essence will open dispensaries across Florida this year and launch a cultivation site in Zephyrhills focused on producing medical-grade cannabis. 

In April 2023, Green Essence Florida was one of 74 applicants for a state medical marijuana treatment center license, but was not one of the 22 notified in November 2024 of an intent to approve. 

The state Office of Medical Marijuana Use, which licenses medical marijuana dispensaries, requested more information, and Green Essence responded.

The Green Essence site reported March 31, 2023, that it had officially registered as a Florida nursery, “marking a significant step towards our goal of applying for a Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) license.”

“We invite you to join us on this exhilarating adventure as we navigate the application process, tackle challenges head-on, and work towards obtaining our MMTC license,” greenessenceflorida.com said.

Alakai buys Burger King building

The Burger King restaurant, built on almost 1.6 acres in 1985, closed in October 2023 after more than 38 years.

Alakai bought it through State Outparcel LLC from Miami-based Burger King Company LLC.

“Years ago when we first invested in Jacksonville we heard the stories of the growth in the urban core. We heard about some of the most exciting developments in Florida: the Four Seasons Resort, $1B Gateway Jax, and the $1.4B Jaguars stadium redevelopment. I wanted to be a part of all this growth, but didn’t have a way in,” Jones wrote on LinkedIn on June 5. 

“Today we acquired a full city block in Downtown Jacksonville, after years of sifting through opportunities. For us this isn’t just an investment, it’s an opportunity to join the momentum of downtown that’s being redefined right now.”

The Alakai website shows it with 30 properties, mostly in Central Florida. It says it has more than 850,000 square feet of property under management.

It is the second former Burger King that Alakai has bought in Jacksonville in the past year.

In December 2024, Alakai bought the 1.4-acre restaurant site at 10142 Philips Highway for $1.65 million. 

In March 2023, the company paid $4.6 million for property at Park and King streets, the corner anchored by Don Eduardo Cocina Mexicana.

The Alakai Capital website shows the Affordable Dentures and Implants building at 800 Dunn Ave. and the MÜV Dispensary building at 463128 Florida 200 in Yulee as properties it has sold.

Jones said Alakai is interested in more retail and industrial property in Jacksonville.

“We like to stay around the urban area but the neighborhoods around it, also. There’s a lot of opportunity in Jacksonville,” he said.