A former Jacksonville Jaguars player took a step toward entering the restaurant business May 9 when a Downtown Investment Authority committee voted to recommend an incentive for his proposed brunch establishment.
Marcus Stroud, a defensive lineman for the Jaguars from 2001 through 2007, plans to open Baby Got Brunch in a single-story, 5,000-square-foot space at 610 N. Julia St. It’s part of the Residences at City Place condominiums at 311 W. Ashley St.
The name of the restaurant stems from Stroud’s nickname, Big Baby, which he was given by his teammates while playing at the University of Georgia.
“I’m a big fella with a handsome, baby face. That’s how I take it,” Stroud said, laughing, when asked about origin of the nickname.
Stroud, who was listed at 6-foot-6 and more than 300 pounds during his playing days, owns the building through MS Real Estate Ventures LLC, according to a DIA staff report. He plans to renovate the building and open the restaurant at a cost of $763,485, not including furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Stroud bought the property in 2022 for $295,000.
The DIA Retail Enhancement and Property Disposition Committee voted 3-0 to recommend approval of a $96,620 incentive for the restaurant. The incentive is in the form of a Retail Enhancement Program grant, which provides a forgivable loan secured by a note.
Stroud, a three-time Pro Bowl player, retired from the NFL as a Jaguar after playing for the Buffalo Bills in 2008 through 2010. He maintained property in Jacksonville after his playing days and recently moved his family here full-time from Atlanta.
He said Baby Got Brunch would feature a big-city atmosphere where diners would come not only for food but for live music and conversation.
“The food is definitely going to be good – that’s going to bring the people back – but I want a whole ambiance and experience,” he said. “It’s not just going to eat and going home.”
Asked why he chose Downtown, he called the decision a “no-brainer.”
“Downtown is renovating, Jacksonville is up-and-coming and plus I have a tie to the community from playing football here,” he said.
According to the staff report, the restaurant will offer 80 seats in chairs and booths, 14 bar stools, a stage area that doubles as extra seating when not being used and a private room. The establishment will employ 25 people, including management.
A menu includes such items as chicken and waffles, short ribs and waffles, burgers, shrimp and grits, salads, macaroni and cheese and slow-cooked collards. Brunch will be offered all day along with a full bar menu of cocktails and a variety of mimosas.
Patrick Krechowski, chair of the retail enhancement committee, said he was happy to see that the restaurant would be open all day.
“As much as I love brunch, I think I love brinner even more,” he said.
Jacksonville-based kasper architects + associates Inc. is the architect.
The restaurant site is in the NorthCore district adjacent to properties included within the proposed Gateway Jax mixed-use project. The $419 million first phase of that development would transform five blocks of property into apartments, offices, retail space, courtyards and more. Broader plans for Gateway Jax include parcels in as many as 20 blocks.
The DIA board approved $98.58 million in incentives for that portion of the project in November, sending the package to the Jacksonville City Council for approval.
The committee’s 3-0 vote sends the incentive to the DIA board, which will consider it in a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. May 15 at the Main Library at 303 N. Laura St.
Approval by the board would constitute final action on the incentive, with no City Council action necessary.
Players Grille grant recommended
In other action, the board voted to recommend a $72,430 Retail Enhancement Program grant for the proposed Players Grille at the newly opened Home2 Suites hotel at 600 Park St.
Plans call for the restaurant to open this summer in time for kickoff of the 2024 NFL season. The 4,500-square-foot establishment will have indoor and outdoor seating for about 160 customers at the extended-stay hotel, which opened in April.
It will be the fourth Players Grille in Northeast Florida but the only one to offer breakfast. The owners are Phil and Megan Visali.
The committee vote was 2-0, with member Jim Citrano abstaining due to a conflict. The incentive will be up for a board vote May 15.