by David Chapman
Staff Writer
While Bold City Brewery fans can find their local beer of choice in close to 150 establishments throughout Northeast Florida, they’ll soon see the local business’ name and decor at a Southside restaurant.
The Bold City Grill, in the former Shula’s 347 in the Sheraton along Deerwood Park Boulevard, will bear the local business’ name and provide patrons with the brewer’s beverages paired with other pieces of Jacksonville history as decor.
Shula’s 347 Grill closed Oct. 16. Duval County property records show hotel ownership changed hands recently. Aimbridge Hospitality of Texas bought the property for $16.2 million in October.
Bold City is branded with the restaurant, which will be run by the hotel’s management and offer a menu of
comfort food, said Sheraton General Manager Raymond Smith.
Bold City’s brews will also be the exclusive beers on tap.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity to work with a local business and a brewery with such recognition in the local community,” said Smith.
For Susan Miller, Bold City owner and CEO, the marketing opportunity is another step in the family business’ growth that’s been booming since she and her son, Brian, founded it in 2008.
Miller said they were approached with the opportunity around three weeks ago and were surprised by the offer.
“We were shocked, like everything else that has happened,” said Miller.
“It’s another example of just how well the Jacksonville community has accepted us,” she said.
While increasingly evident throughout Northeast Florida, the partnership is an opportunity to introduce Bold City to hotel customers from out of town.
“People that stay with us always ask ‘what have you got local?’” said Smith, referring to bar patrons. “Now we can say we’ve got all the local that matters.”
Smith said he hopes the transition will be complete by Thanksgiving.
The opportunity has been the latest endeavor in a busy few months for Miller and her family, who recently celebrated the business’ two-year anniversary. The taproom attached to its Rosselle Street facility has continued to draw steady business each weekend and new equipment has been installed that allows for more and easier production.
With the new equipment, Miller said she’s told the distributors to begin marketing the beer to new locations.
“Things have been busy but are going great,” said Miller.
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