After a decade in business, Mitchell’s Fish Market at St. Johns Town Center closed over the New Year’s weekend because its lease expired, according to a statement issued Tuesday by its parent company, Landry’s Inc.
The statement attributed to Howard Cole, COO and senior vice president, cited the “natural lease expiration” of the restaurant.
Mitchell’s Fish Market opened at 5205 Big Island Drive in 2007 when St. Johns Town Center’s second phase was completed.
The first phase of Town Center, at Butler Boulevard and Gate Parkway, opened in 2005 and the third, anchored by Nordstrom, in 2014.
Landry’s bought the chain of 18 Mitchell’s Fish Markets from Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. in 2014. According to Landry’s website, 14 remain operating and the nearest is in Tampa.
Houston-based Landry’s is a privately owned company that owns and operates more than 500 restaurant, hotel and entertainment venues such as the Golden Nugget hotels and casinos.
Among its Jacksonville holdings are Morton’s The Steakhouse, Joe’s Crab Shack and the Chart House restaurant.
In October, Landry’s owner Tilman Fertitta became a National Basketball Association franchise owner by purchasing the Houston Rockets.
Landry’s did not respond to calls to ask about more details of the closing, such as how many employees are involved.
The news release was similar to the one issued in September when Landry’s closed a McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurant in Dayton, Ohio.
Les Morris, manager of corporate public relations at Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, said the company refers questions and comments about a closure to the tenant.
Simon is the landlord at St. Johns Town Center.
Mitchell’s space is within a quad of restaurants at the end of the center near Apple, Tiffany & Co., Tesla and other higher-end retailers.
“St. Johns Town Center is a great property and we look forward to leasing the space in a very attractive way,” Morris said about the vacated restaurant.
Mitchell’s operated at the southern end of St. Johns Town Center next to J. Alexander’s and near The Capital Grille and Cantina Laredo.
Over the past several months, about 20 restaurants, some new to the market, opened across Town Center Parkway from St. Johns Town Center among three new developments.
Some of those are full-service restaurants like Mitchell’s Fish Market, although none specialize in seafood.
