Ben and Liza Groshell are planning to lease the closed restaurant at Julington Creek in Mandarin at 12760 San Jose Blvd. and renovate it for their fourth venture, this one called the Creekside Fish Camp. It could open by May or June.
Ben Groshell said Thursday they have been talking to the property owner, Wiley Andreu, since August.
"We've always liked the site and we've wanted to do something there for years," Groshell said.
The Groshells operate Marker 32, Palm Valley Fish Camp and North Beach Fish Camp, all along or near water.
Marker 32 and Palm Valley Fish Camp are along the Intracoastal Waterway and the North Beach Fish Camp is near the Atlantic Ocean.
Groshell said they want to open the Creekside Fish Camp restaurant on the second floor of the two-story building, like they do at Marker 32, and build a ramp system. Cronk Duch Architecture is the designer.
He plans entertainment on the weekends and to focus the menu on coastal cuisine with a Southern flair and influence.
The City is reviewing a permit for interior demolition at the 7,000-square-foot building. Bosco Building Contractors Inc. is listed as the contractor.
Groshell employs more than 100 people among the three restaurants and estimates he would hire 40-45 at the Creekside Fish Camp. "We are going to try in the next week to put a box out front" for potential workers to leave their information.
"We are excited about the fish camp concept and we have some great chefs and good talent and it's been a neat opportunity for our employees to grow and keep things moving along," he said.
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