Less than nine months after it opened in Downtown Jacksonville’s historic core, Lily’s Asian-American Food is closed.
Owner Lily Grabb said she shut down the restaurant at 11 E. Forsyth in mid-October after struggling to attract lunch customers, an issue she blamed partly on remote or hybrid work policies for Downtown workers. As in other cities, Downtown Jacksonville’s worker population fell during the pandemic and has yet to return to pre-2020 levels as some employers continue to allow staff to work remotely.
In addition, some employers left for offices elsewhere. Vacancy in Downtown offices has been at 25% or higher since 2021, according to Downtown Vision Inc.’s annual State of Downtown report.
Grabb said parking availability was another factor behind the closure.
“People are scared to go Downtown because of parking,” she said.
Grabb said she brought in evening crowds with karaoke nights, trivia contests, bingo and comedy performances, but it wasn’t enough to make the restaurant profitable.
“I think people don’t want to come out anymore,” she said.
Lily’s replaced Super Food & Brew, which Grabb purchased in 2023. When she opened Lily’s in February 2025, she told the Daily Record she had the “bare minimum” of restaurant experience.
“I used to be a server in Kaika Teppanyaki Asian Fusion in Five Points. I loved the connection with people,” she said. “This wasn’t my first choice of business. I was thinking of like maybe gas stations or a jewelry store, but I ended up getting this one, and I’m really happy.”
Lily’s prepared a combination of Japanese, Philippine and American cuisines.
Grabb said she used family recipes for the menu items. She was born in the Philippines but spent much of her life in Japan before moving to the United States about seven years ago.
Grabb said she was considering opening a new restaurant, “but it won’t be in Downtown, for sure.”