Seasons of Japan to open in February
Seasons of Japan partner Loc Lin said the first Jacksonville restaurant in the Savannah-based chain should open in February near Publix in St. Johns Town Center.
Lin said he is negotiating a second location in Mandarin.
Seasons of Japan describes itself on the seasonsofjapan.com website as "a Japanese restaurant serving genuine Japanese and all Hibachi style cuisines that are cooked to order."
The menu shows bowls, entrees, combination plates, salads, sushi and more.
The company, which franchises, said its first restaurant opened in 1999 in Savannah.
Lin said the first Jacksonville restaurant will seat 80 patrons in its 2,800-square-foot space, which is being developed at 4413 Town Center Parkway.
Lin said interior demolition has been completed and he is waiting on the building permit.
The company has seven locations in Georgia and South Carolina, including three in Savannah.
Publix launches catering in Jacksonville
Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. launched its catering service and the first market is Jacksonville, where the service began Sept. 10.
The second market is Plantation.
The service evolved from the Publix Aprons Event Planning service, which began in 2001.
The company reports its Publix Aprons Event Planning Catering is full-service catering, offering services from customized menus to on-site meal preparation, venue organization and serving staff.
"We're able to provide exceptional professional catering that's the perfect solution for a variety of events, from dinner parties to grand receptions and family events to corporate gatherings," Publix says.
The publix.com website says Publix Aprons Event Planning Catering in Jacksonville is available at the Publix at 10500 San Jose Blvd.
French Fry Heaven working on Avenues site
The City is reviewing the permit application for a kiosk for French Fry Heaven at The Avenues mall. The $60,000 project is located near Dillard's and Sears.
French Fry Heaven's tag line is "The Best French Fries on Earth."
The frenchfryheaven.com website shows locations in St. Johns Town Center and St. Augustine, indicating The Avenues will be the third site.
According to the website, Jacksonville-based French Fry Heaven was created in fall 2010 by Scott Nelowet.
"After just a handful of test audiences from various local and statewide festivals, Scott knew his idea of 'Heaven' was being widely accepted (and demanded) by potato lovers everywhere," it says. "With a simple idea of classic fries being 'Angels' and sweet potato fries being 'Saints,' French Fry Heaven is well on its way to pure divinity," it says.
The online menu shows about two dozen "angel" French fry flavors from plain to cheeseburger, blue cheese and curry and peanut butter. The 10 "saints" flavors include key lime and marshmallow and pumpkin spice.
Prices start at $3-$4 for a "cupid" size to $6-$7 for a large serving. Customers can pay extra to add cheese, flavors and special salts.
• The City OK'd a $75,500 renovation of the Panera Bread bakery-cafe in the Bartram Park area. Plans filed with the City show a "limited scope remodel" of the restaurant at 13820 Old St. Augustine Road. R.A. Heath Construction Inc. is the contractor. The permit indicates "minor interior work" for the Panera Bread.
• The City approved two wall signs for Jersey Mike's Subs in the Tinseltown area at 9700 Deer Lake Court. The contractor is River City Sign Co. It is scheduled to open Wednesday.