Derby House Diner is the new concept for the former Derby On Park space at 1068 Park St in Five Points.
The restaurant, which has operated through many iterations since the 1940s, is now in the hands of by Chad Munsey and Michael Schmidt, owners of The Bearded Pig in San Marco and the Rec Room, also in Five Points.
Schmidt said they plan a mid-April opening. He said the lease for the property was signed Friday in a deal that originated with the landlord and was put together in less than 10 days.
“The Derby was popular and a landmark because it had diner food and we are bringing that back,” Schmidt said.
He said they were working on a menu of “classic, affordable diner food,” including BLT and Reuben sandwiches, fried chicken and meatloaf. They also plan to bring back the “classic Derby salad,” a simple chopped salad.
Schmidt said they plan to offer desserts in a display case at front of the restaurant and offer pies, cakes, sundaes and milkshakes.
Derby House Diner also will have a full bar and offer wine, classic cocktails and regional beers.
The restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch served on the weekends.
Derby on Park was owned by Dwayne Beliakoff and Jonathan Cobbs. It closed in December.
Beliakoff and Cobbs purchased Derby On Park in April from Cheryl and Neil Corrado, who had operated the restaurant since 2013.
According to Duval County property records, 1068 Park Street LLC owns the building. Corrado is listed as the registered agent.
Schmidt said he was working on renderings and selecting furniture for an updated interior.
“We are turning it back into a diner as it was for the past 60 years,” Schmidt said.