Chef Scott Schwartz, owner of 29 South Restaurant in Fernandina Beach, intends to open a new concept in Murray Hill.
Schwartz declined to provide details about the menu, pending a news release expected next week.
Public documents show the restaurant will be operated by El Jefe Jax LLC, led by Schwartz and Bradley Walters.
El Jefe is heading to 947 Edgewood Ave. S. in Murray Hill, a rejuvenating Westside neighborhood that blends vacant buildings, established businesses and trendy hangouts.
The proposed 158-seat full-service restaurant is planned in about 4,000 square feet facing Edgewood Avenue in the former Curry Thomas Hardware building, according to documents and the landlord.
“I love Murray Hill and all of the great restaurants and shops that are established and coming soon and look forward to being a part of the community,” Schwartz said by email Wednesday night.
He and Walters also are among the group behind Bullbriar Restaurant LLC, which proposes to operate in the Marble Bank building Downtown after it is renovated.
Schwartz said Bullbriar appears to be moving through the City Hall process as City Council considers incentives to help redevelop the Laura Street Trio and Barnett Bank building. The Marble Bank is part of the trio at Laura and Forsyth streets.
“We are excited about getting started on this project,” he said. He will be operating in both Fernandina and Jacksonville.
The vacant Curry Thomas Hardware space is owned by Glocal Lee LLC. The building is at Edgewood Avenue and Post Street.
Glocal Lee has applied for a zoning exception to serve alcohol outside; a waiver to reduce the required minimum distance between a liquor license location and a church or school; and an administrative deviation to reduce the number of required off-street parking spaces from 45 to 35 in a shared lot.
“The addition of an established business-owner with a novel restaurant to the area will diversify dining options,” the deviation application said, “contributing to both the walkability and the appeal of the neighborhood as a whole.”
The waiver application notes there are existing liquor licenses in the immediate vicinity of the property and that most are closer to the churches.
Building owner Maxwell Lee said Glocal Network will maintain ownership of the property and lease to the restaurant.
He expects El Jefe to start work as soon as the rezoning is approved.
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