Texas-based Desi Chowrastha, a restaurant and market specializing in South Asian cuisine, received a building permit to build-out at the Shops at Racetrack Rd in St. Johns County.
According to county records, the project cost is $350,000 for a 3,650-square-foot space. Jacksonville-based AEC Integrated LLC is listed as the contractor for the store at 4590 Race Track Road, Suite 201, east of St. Johns Parkway and about 3 miles west of Interstate 95.
It will be the first Florida location and the 21st overall, according to the company’s website. Founded in 2022, the chain has locations in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas and Virginia.
“We are on a pursuit to create a one-stop shop for groceries, halal meat and restaurant concept that caters not only to the largest Indian population in (the) US, but to everyone that is open to explore ... food of complex flavors and spices,” says desichowrastha.com,
The company franchises its locations, and hours vary by store.
The Shops at Racetrack Rd is represented by Atlantic Retail, a national brokerage firm that markets and leases commercial properties.
Other confirmed tenants include Another Broken Egg Cafe, McDonald’s, Avecina Medical urgent care and Dutch Bros Coffee.
A KFC was announced in August 2024 but did not materialize, according to the firm.
St. John’s at Racetrack LLC owns the Shops at Racetrack Rd. The company bought the 7-acre site in 2022 for $8.5 million. It broke ground on the project in August 2024.