Taverna construction to start on expansion
The City approved a $250,000 expansion and renovation project for Taverna restaurant at 1986 San Marco Blvd.
Osterer Construction Co. Inc. is the contractor for the project and Design/Cooperative LLC is the designer.
Taverna opened in San Marco Square in the fall of 2009 and is operated by husband-and-wife team Sam and Kiley Efron. The location formerly was Café Carmon.
Taverna has taken over the space next door at 1984 San Marco Blvd., formerly occupied by Mimi's. Plans indicate 158 seats.
Taverna focuses on seasonal European cuisine. For its menu and more information, visit tavernasanmarco.com.
Mooyah targets Jacksonville for 5 restaurants
Mooyah, which describes itself as a fast-casual, "better burger," fries and shakes chain, wants to expand throughout Florida, including five restaurants in Jacksonville.
The Dallas-based chain said it was specifically focusing on Jacksonville; Miami/Fort Lauderdale; Tampa; Orlando; West Palm Beach; and the Fort Myers/Naples areas as key markets for expansion.
"Florida is a prime development market for the Mooyah brand," said Michael Mabry, director of franchise of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes, in a news release.
"We're looking for like-minded partners with passion for guest service, people, a drive for the industry and our business to join our rapidly expanding franchise system," he said.
In addition to five in Jacksonville, Mooyah plans to add 12 restaurants in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, 12 in Tampa, 11 in Orlando, five in West Palm Beach and three in Fort Myers/Naples.
Mabry said the brand's goal is to have qualified franchisees for the markets in development by the end of 2013.
The brand is available in 11 states and has nearly doubled the number of restaurants from 25 to 48 in 2012.
Mooyah's menu includes an "Under 600 Calories" menu that it says is designed to support the taste desires of females and the more health-conscious consumer.
Mooyah sells made-to-order burgers, including lean beef and turkey burgers; hand-cut French fries; and handcrafted ice cream shakes. It was founded in 2007 in Plano, Texas.
For information, visit mooyah.com.
Sea Best Oasis offering new menu items at EverBank Field
Sea Best and Levy Restaurants plan to bring new menu items to the Club at EverBank Field this fall for Jacksonville Jaguars games.
Sea Best, the flagship brand of Jacksonville-based Beaver Street Fisheries, renamed its concessions as Sea Best Oasis. They are within the Club section and will debut Sept. 8 at a Jaguars home game.
The Oasis will feature some new menu items, including Cajun Mahi Mahi Sliders, Camarones Cocktail and BBQ Shrimp Pizza.
Bluzette Carline, director of marketing for Beaver Street Fisheries, said Beaver Street Fisheries and the Sea Best brand are major supporters of the Jaguars.
"We want to be part of the Jaguars' new vision by offering fans something new and different to help make their game-day experience a great one," she said in a news release.
Beaver Street Fisheries Inc. is a family-owned and operated company that started 60 years ago.
According to the release, Sea Best offers a full line of frozen fish fillets, including premium varieties (ahi tuna, mahi, grouper, snapper), value varieties (cod, catfish, whiting), value-added and breaded seafood (stuffed clams, Maine lobster cakes, shrimp, calamari, scallops), and shellfish (lobster, crab).
For more information, visit seabest.com.
Panera on the way up in San Marco
The Angelo Group Inc. was approved to build-out space at 1440 Hendricks Ave. in San Marco Station for Panera Bread Bakery. It's a $150,000 project.
San Marco Station is in development by San Marco Train Station LLC.
As the Daily Record reported April 30, construction was approved at San Marco Station for the 4,000-square-foot shell building for Panera at a project cost of $130,000. Sardella Group is the contractor.
Panera operated nearby but closed about year-end 2009.
San Marco Station fronts Hendricks Avenue and is bordered by Cedar Street, Naldo Avenue and train tracks.
The development includes renovation of an existing 5,000-square-foot building, a former city waterworks and electric building. Site work has been ongoing.
Ashco Inc. is the developer and its ashcoinc.net website defines the location as "Jacksonville's newest upscale hotspot."
Cakes by Fresda opening bakery
Andrea Carolina Marquez filed with the state to operate Cakes by Fresda at 8101-4 Old Kings Road S.
Marquez said in a Facebook message that Cakes by Fresda "was born out of my mom's love for cake decorating. "
"She started taking classes a few years ago in various cities in Florida and tried to get me into the idea. At the time I was living in South America and didn't quite get her vision," she said.
"I moved back here at the end of May of this year and after a lot of debating, discussing, researching, and learning from my mom, decided to set up a bakery here in Jacksonville."
Marquez said that led her to Judy Brown-Scott of Judy's Cakes Inc., at the Old Kings Road address.
"Judy is kind enough to open the doors to her space and allow up-and- comers the chance to start their own business. The space has been hers for about 20 years and she made it a shared bakery around two-three years ago," she said.
Buffalo Wild Wings building out at The Avenues
Buffalo Wild Wings was OK'd to remodel the former Morrison's cafeteria at The Avenues mall.
The City approved the permit for contractor Independence Construction Co. of VA to build-out the tenant space, including interior and exterior work and a proposed patio addition, for $1.07 million.