Ovinte, the Spanish and Italian cuisine concept from Forking Amazing Restaurants Inc., closed at St. Johns Town Center today after five years.
Local investors Jacques Klempf and Fraser Burns said in a statement Monday the group made a business decision not to renew the lease.
“We both feel it is in the best interest of the group to focus on our new and exciting projects within the Forking Amazing Restaurants portfolio,” they said in a statement.
“We were thrilled to be one of the first locally owned and operated restaurants at the St. Johns Town Center, and we are forever thankful for our dedicated employees, loyal guests, and the entire Jacksonville community for supporting our concepts and projects throughout the city,” it said.
Neither could be reached for comment.
Ovinte opened in 2012 and served Spanish and Italian-influenced cuisine, wine and cocktails.
It replaced The Original Pancake House and was one of only a handful of local independent restaurants at the Southside shopping center.
The restaurant was part of a portfolio that includes Bistro Aix, Il Desco and Cowford Chophouse, which is under construction Downtown.
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