JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 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Beach Boulevard property, marking its second attempt in less than a year to do so, following a similar request that was withdrawn in April 2024.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 Commission on Aug. 21, but was deferred. A new date has yet to be scheduled.
According to JDR, the halal grocer’s request for rezoning is the organization’s second since April 2024. At that time, ownership withdrew a previous request for a zoning exception for land in Northwest Jacksonville from the Planning Commission after area residents voiced disapproval of the development.
Last year’s request led to dozens of residents turning out for a public hearing on the project, where they raised objections about noise, smells, and traffic the processing center would bring, along with its potential effect on property values.
News4JAX spoke with residents in the area who said the change would upend their neighborhood and raised environmental concerns.
“This is our home,” said Kimberly Robinson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years and said that the closest house would be roughly 10 feet from the proposed building. “The environmental part of it — the water contamination, the air quality, just all the things that go with the slaughterhouse or meat packing facility, for that matter."
The opposition has organized online and in the neighborhood. Signs reading “No to the slaughterhouse” have been posted throughout the area, and QR codes placed on streets allow residents and passersby to scan and sign a Change.org petition.
A Facebook page called “No Neighborhood Slaughterhouse” is serving as a hub for updates; the petition has collected more than 2,000 signatures to date.
One resident told News4JAX off-camera it’s “absurd” the plan has gotten this far, but admits the battle has brought people closer together.
The message from this community: they’re not against business, but they don’t want a slaughterhouse in their neighborhood.
“There’s no way something like this should even be considered. Families are worried, and it’s heartbreaking to think this could become their reality,” they said.
“Halal” is an Arabic word meaning “allowed” or “lawful,” according to the American Halal Foundation (AHA).
Halal meats refer to animals that have been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, which requires that the animal be healthy at the time of slaughter and that a Muslim complete the slaughter.
“This process is designed to be as humane as possible, minimizing the animal’s suffering,” AHA said. “The act of draining the blood is essential because Islam prohibits the consumption of blood. The entire procedure is carried out with cleanliness and respect, ensuring that the meat meets the ethical standards set by Islamic law.”
News4JAX reached out to Apna Bazar, but no one was available to speak on the matter and was told to call back.