River Restaurant Group is in discussions to open a restaurant at the former Ragtime Tavern space at 207 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach.
Two sources involved in the preliminary discussions confirmed talks are underway, but no documents have been signed. Details about the cuisine have not been finalized.
The River Restaurant Group operates River & Post at 1000 Riverside Ave. in Jacksonville's Riverside neighborhood.
In St. Augustine, it has River & Fort at 12 Avenida Menendez and Saint at 44 Avenida Menendez.
State of Florida corporate records identify the group as 207 Atlantic Partners LLC, which coincides with the Ragtime address. Partners include Jeffery McCusker, Robert Fleckenstein and Morgan Moody of River Restaurant Group.
Fleckenstein is the owner of Summit Contractors Group.
McCusker is the River & Post co-owner and general manager. Moody is the restaurant’s finance officer.
Fleckstein and McCusker formed the group in 2017 when they opened River & Post in The Corner Lot Center, according to the River Restaurant Group website.
W. Radford Lovett II owns the Ragtime property and was unavailable for comment.
River Restaurant Group said it had no comment because negotiations were underway.
Ragtime Tavern closed in January after more than 40 years in operation. It began with 12 tables in 1983 and expanded over the years to become a Beaches dining and entertainment staple. It once brewed its own beer that was served at the restaurant.
The building is at Atlantic and Ocean boulevards in Beaches Town Center.
It anchored a dining area in Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach referred to by locals as “The Corner.”
Neighboring restaurants have changed over the years. The Corner now includes Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar; North Beach Fish Camp; Doro; Joseph’s Pizza; Angie’s; AB Kitchen; Homespun Kitchen; Salumeria 104; Coop 303 & Living Room Lounge; Locals; Hawkers; Mezza Luna Ristorante; Azurea Restaurant in the One Ocean Resort; and Sliders Oyster Bar.
In December 2024, SPB Hospitality sold Ragtime Tavern, Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery in Tinseltown and three other properties to Kelly Companies of Southern California, a private equity company.
According to its website, Kelly Companies continues to operate Seven Bridges and 16 other restaurants around the country.
SPB Hospitality, based in Houston, sold the businesses. It did not own the buildings.
Fortress Investment Group, parent of the Fortress Credit Corp. portfolio, owns SPB Hospitality.