Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville’s San Marco Square is in review for conversion into a Flying Iguana restaurant.
Restaurateur Al Mansur, also owner of the seven area Al’s Pizza Inc. restaurants, said Monday he has a contract to buy the building and convert it into a second Flying Iguana.
The first Flying Iguana Taqueria and Tequila Bar is in Neptune Beach, where Mansur and a partner converted the former Sun Dog Diner in a more than $2.1 million project.
Mansur said he will move forward on his own in the San Marco deal. He expects to invest more than $2 million to buy and renovate the 4,030-square-foot building.
“I think it’s a great part of town for the demographics I am looking for,” Mansur said.
Scott Riley, president of Stellers Inc., said Monday he hasn’t decided the next step if the building is sold, although he is looking at options to relocate the art gallery.
He said Stellers has been in business since 1985 and in that building for 23 years.
Riley said he is considering leasing a smaller location, but hasn’t decided where.
Mansur said Stellers is on a month-to-month lease. “They will have plenty of time to relocate,” Mansur said.
He had no timeframe for the San Marco Flying Iguana because it awaits zoning approvals.
Property owner Zambetti Properties Inc. has applied for a zoning exception, waiver and administrative deviation to create a 150-seat restaurant at the location, listed as 1407 Atlantic Blvd.
Property records show the structure was built in 1940.
According to applications made May 25, the zoning exception is for the retail sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption.
The waiver is to reduce the required minimum distance between a liquor-license location and a church from 500 to 111 feet. The administrative deviation is to reduce the minimum number of off-street parking spaces from 43 to zero.
Mansur said he was seeking a solution to provide off-site parking by working with nearby businesses that would have available spaces during the day as well as at night and on weekends. He said he also was talking with a church for access to parking spaces.
The Flying Iguana operates in the Beaches Town Center at 207 Atlantic Blvd. It specializes in a fusion of Latin American cuisine and offers local craft beers and more than 100 tequilas.
Mansur said the Neptune Beach Flying Iguana employs 125 people and he expects the San Marco restaurant would need 100 workers.
It would operate for lunch and dinner, staying open during the week until 11 p.m. and until midnight or so on weekends.
Aspen Dental applies for build-out
There’s no building on-site yet at the Town Center Promenade under development, but Aspen Dental already has applied to build-out its space planned there.
Aspen Dental is one of the tenants in buildings to be constructed for Core Property Capital at the new shopping center, which is across Town Center Parkway from St. Johns Town Center.
Land is being cleared for construction.
Aspen Dental has applied to build-out 3,500 square feet of space at 4520 Town Center Parkway at a construction cost of $250,000. It will share the building with Newk’s Eatery.
The city is reviewing the permit application for the structure and several others at the Promenade.
Eight tenants, including the area’s first Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews, Texas de Brazil Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse and Piada Italian Street Food restaurants, are planned to open there by spring 2017.
Bold City Brewery preparing taproom
Bold City Brewery applied to the city to build-out space for its Downtown taproom planned next to the Cowford Chophouse under development.
The city is reviewing a permit application for Dakenna Development Inc.’s $100,000 tenant improvement for the taproom at 109 E. Bay St.
In May, the Downtown Investment Authority approved a $20,000 forgivable loan to help finance work in the 1,400-square-foot space.
The craft brewery expects to open in time for the football season.
Ollie’s to open June 29
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet intends to hold a grand opening for its first Jacksonville store at 9 a.m. June 29 at 9400 Atlantic Blvd.
The Regency Park Shopping Center location formerly housed Babies “R” Us and is next to American Signature Furniture.
Ollie’s reports its special guest at the grand opening will be Jacksonville native Vince Coleman, the 1985 National League Rookie of the Year and two-time MLB All-Star.
The company sells brand-name closeouts, overruns, irregulars and other merchandise that manufacturers don’t need.
Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
The Harrisburg, Pa.-based chain’s real estate vice president said in April another one to three stores could open next year in the metropolitan area.
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