If not Texas Roadhouse, then IHOP?
Texas Roadhouse said it won't be opening near the new GFS Marketplace store.
"We were not able to come to terms on that location so we will not be locating there," said Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster.
Pinnacle Real Estate Inc., the developer of the proposed GFS Marketplace, bought almost 2.9 acres on Dec. 23 at Beach and Hodges boulevards, indicating construction could start soon on the area's newest grocery industry player.
Plans filed with the city show two buildings — the 16,000-square-foot GFS store and a future unidentified 4,400-square-foot, 158-seat restaurant — on the almost 3-acre site at 13423 Beach Blvd., west of Hodges Boulevard.
While no restaurant was identified, plans filed in July with the St. Johns River Water Management District showed a Texas Roadhouse was proposed at the property, although it was larger than the site plans now indicate.
Speculation about the site becoming an IHOP is not confirmed by the company.
IHOP spokesman Craig Hoffman said Friday there were no announcements for Jacksonville.
"While we are always looking for great locations, there is nothing to report at the moment for Jacksonville," Hoffman said.
The International House of Pancakes, known as IHOP, has at least six area restaurants – in Jacksonville along 103rd Street, in Baymeadows and in Regency, as well as in St. Augustine, Orange Park and Fleming Island.
The three Jacksonville restaurants range from 4,400 to 5,300 square feet, property records show.
Col. Mustard's could open in February
The new Col. Mustard's Breakfast & Burgers at 8060 Philips Highway, No. 101, could open in February, although that's not definite, Col. Mustard said in a Facebook message.
However, the location at Philips Highway and Baymeadows Road is considered a good one. The message said it "is a busy area with lots of businesses and residences."
Col. Mustard's Phat Burgers operates in Jacksonville Beach at 1722 N. Third St.
Jessica Cooper, president, and Thomas Cooper, vice president, registered Col. Mustard's SS Inc. in September with the state Division of Corporations. The Coopers listed a Neptune Beach mailing address.
In addition to more than two dozen burger varieties, the Col. Mustard's menu features sandwiches, wraps, wings, tenders, tacos, quesadillas, hot dogs, salads, fries, onion wings, mozzarella sticks, corn nuggets, potatoes and more.
Veloce Pizzeria build-out OK'd
Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana could open in about 45 days along the Hendricks Avenue corridor that is become a row for restaurants and entertainment venues in San Marco.
The city approved a permit Monday for Jenkins Construction Inc. II to renovate the building at 1406 Hendricks Ave. for Veloce Pizzeria at a project cost of $340,000. It's a build-out of 7,523 square feet.
The full-service restaurant will seat 180. For information, visit velocepizza.com or its Facebook page, Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana.
McDonald's to remodel in Westside
McDonald's Corp. wants to renovate its 454 Cassat Ave. restaurant.
The city is reviewing a building-permit application to renovate the McDonald's at a project cost of $250,000.
The project includes expansion of the dining room, ADA compliance and a side-by-side drive-thru. The plan refers to an "arcade conversion."
Food bites
Food-related businesses filed names recently with the state Division of Corporations under the Fictitious Name Law to operate:
• Kristin's Restaurant, by Kriver LLC, 2511 Blanding Blvd.
• Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt, by R&W Legacy LLC, 1094 Third St., Jacksonville Beach.
• Whit's Frozen Custard of Atlantic Beach, by Jessica R. McKinley, Michael S. McKinley and Seaside Custard LLC, mailing address is 11980 Diamond Springs Drive. The McKinleys are partners in Seaside Custard at 38 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach.
• Tempo Restaurant, by Tempo Restaurant LLC, 16 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine.
Licensed to serve
Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan issued a business license for:
• Tunis #13, to Tunis Holdings LLC, at 7400 103rd St.