Larry’s Giant Subs wants to join the Murray Hill movement.
The Jacksonville-based chain is making plans to open at 1050 Edgewood Ave. S. and seeks a zoning exception, waiver and administrative deviation.
Larry Raikes, who founded the company with his brother, Mitch, said the venture will be a new concept for the company. It tentatively is called Larry’s Giant Subs – R Wood Fire Pizza, although the name is under study.
He said the 3,500-square-foot restaurant will feature wood-fired stone pizza ovens, a full bar with local craft beers on draft, grilled Philadelphia cheese steaks, Wisconsin cheese curds, beignets and other specialties.
Raikes said the 125-seat restaurant, including patio seating, would hire more than 50 people.
Pending approvals, he expects to start work in May and open about September.
“It will have a real knack to it and we think in that area it will be great,” Raikes said.
He said the design will include a rustic look from custom woodwork, working with Smokey Mountain Cabinets in Palatka. Raikes said he likes to use local and area vendors, products and workers when possible.
The new concept comes as Larry’s Giant Subs celebrates its 35th anniversary.
Raikes doesn’t anticipate franchising the new concept. “It’s a prototype,” he said.
Murray Hill, in West Jacksonville, has been attracting new businesses to join its historic environment and established companies.
In recent weeks, for example, Town Beer Co. and El Jefe have talked about plans to open in the area. El Jefe will be a new-concept restaurant by Scott Schwartz, the chef and owner of 29 South Restaurant in Fernandina Beach.
Raikes anticipates investment of more than $500,000 in the build-out and equipment.
Larry’s Giant Subs seeks the zoning exception for the retail sales and service of all alcoholic beverages, the waiver to reduce the minimum distance from a church and the deviation to reduce required parking from a minimum of 46 spaces to 12.
The building is at the corner of Antisdale Street and Edgewood Avenue.
Mitch Raikes said Murray Hill “seems to be an up-and-coming community.”
He said it will be Larry’s Giant Subs’ ninth corporate store. There also are about 55 franchise locations. Larry’s operates in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.