And the doughnut shops keep on rolling.
Two national chains — Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. and Dunkin' Donuts — continue to add shops in Duval County.
Among the latest, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, with three locations open in Jacksonville, is adding at least three more – the previously reported Arlington site along Merrill Road and two more.
The two newest by Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme are at the former Shoney's along 103rd Street near Blanding Boulevard in Westside and the former Barnhill's Buffet and Internet cafe along University Boulevard West at Chester Avenue in Southside.
The buildings would be removed for construction.
That expands the company's stand-alone scope, not counting sales in convenience and food stores, to Arlington, East Arlington, Westside, Mandarin and Southside.
Gary Montour, senior vice president with Colliers International in North Florida, said Thursday he represents Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. and that the company continues to review the market.
As reported, the new Arlington Krispy Kreme is planned at 7612 Merrill Road, west of the Interstate 295 East Beltway. The city is reviewing building plans.
Krispy Kreme, which registered "Original Glazed" for its signature doughnut, has locations in East Arlington at 12973 Atlantic Blvd., in Mandarin at 11117 San Jose Blvd., and in West Jacksonville at 810 Cassat Ave.
Krispy Kreme's new stores are smaller than the previous design, in the range of 2,500 square feet, and all feature drive-thrus.
The stores are known for flashing their "hot now" lighted signs, and the company has launched a "Hot Light" finder so customers can check online or their smartphones to track the nearest Krispy Kreme.
Meanwhile, Dunkin' Donuts, part of the Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. based in Canton, Mass., continues to expand as well.
Dunkin' Brands also owns Baskin-Robbins, which is why combination Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins stores are popping up.
Almost 20 Dunkin' Donuts, some with Baskin-Robbins, operate in Duval County, not counting the Dunkin' Donuts sold in Hess gas stations.
In addition, plans have been filed for at least five more Dunkin' Donuts at 13627 Beach Blvd.; 8520 Baymeadows Road; 3031 Monument Road (with Baskin-Robbins); Bartram Park Boulevard; and Dunn Avenue. One has been mentioned for a new Downtown Southbank retail center, too.
Applebee's to renovate 103rd St. restaurant
Doherty Enterprises Inc. will renovate the Applebee's at 6251 103rd St., the second of the six Jacksonville locations to be remodeled for its new "community" concept.
The 103rd Street Applebee's is scheduled to close Feb. 9 and reopen at 11 a.m. Feb. 13. A grand opening event will benefit the Jacksonville Urban League.
The 5,030-square-foot restaurant can accommodate up to 163 customers and will feature a large dining area with new booths, lighting, and renovated restrooms.
The community theme of the interior will focus on education, nonprofit organizations and first responders, featuring photos from local high schools and university, professional and college sports teams and community groups.
Some of the local schools that will be featured include Bishop John J. Snyder High School, Edward H. White High School, Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology and Westside High School, the new name of Nathan B. Forrest High School.
The "community" design will be featured in 38 Applebee's restaurants in North Florida and Georgia over the next 15 months.
The first in Jacksonville was the 843 Lane Ave. restaurant. Hughes Brothers Construction of Alabama LLC was the contractor for the $120,000 project.
The city also has approved a permit for Hughes Brothers Construction to renovate the 103rd Street Applebee's at a project cost of $170,524.
Pollo Tropical OK'd at Bartram Park
The city approved construction for Pollo Tropical at 13776 Old St. Augustine Road in the Shoppes at Bartram Park. North Coast Construction Co. is the contractor at a project cost of $340,000.
The Pollo Tropical Chicken on the Grill chain focuses on Caribbean-inspired, citrus-marinated grilled chicken. In addition to its signature grilled chicken, it offers slow-roasted mojo pork, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Pollo Tropical has three locations in Jacksonville.
Bento zoning
The city is reviewing a zoning exception request for Bento Café to sell and serve alcohol at its second area restaurant proposed next to the Tinseltown movie theater at 9734 Deer Lake Court. BCSouthside LLC is the owner of Bento, which operates its first Jacksonville location at 4860 Big Island Drive in the St. Johns Town Center area.
Dining signs
• PQH, Fresh Tenders, Salads Sandwiches, 13702 Old St. Augustine Road.
• Chicken on Wheels, Pollos a la Brasa, 10916 Atlantic Blvd.
• Margarita's Mexican Grill, 9825 San Jose Blvd., No. 23.
Licensed to serve
Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan issued a business license to:
• L&D Soul Food and Catering Inc., to Luther Williams, 5443 Chicora Drive.
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