Calico Cactus owner and founder Scott Moore anticipates opening the Murray Hill location for his breakfast-lunch taco concept within about six weeks.
“Our contractor believes we can be done and open by December 1st,” Moore said Oct. 22 by text.
The city issued a permit Oct. 22 for Calico Cactus to renovate the former Maple Street Biscuit Co. restaurant in Murray Hill at a project cost of $218,678.
Kaneco Construction LLC of Atlantic Beach is the contractor to remodel the interior of the 4,393-square-foot space at 1171 Edgewood Ave. S.
Maple Street closed June 15.
Moore, founder and seller of Maple Street Biscuit Co., is taking over the space for the second location of Calico Cactus, which focuses on soft tacos, queso and coffee.
The first opened Jan. 14, 2025, in St. Augustine.
Moore said in May 2025 the 10-year Maple Street lease in Murray Hill was expiring in August and the landlord asked if he was interested in taking the space. The lease had been amended and extended.
“Of all the places to go, that place is just really special.”
Moore launched Maple Street in 2012 in San Marco. The Murray Hill restaurant was its fourth location.
Moore said the space has a second kitchen, which will allow him to set up a catering service for Jacksonville.
He expects about 86 seats and a pickup window on the side for mobile orders and online food delivery services. He may set up a few bistro tables by the window.
Amanda Urbizu, Calico Cactus director of mission and model, had been Maple Street’s community leader in Murray Hill.
“She will come up here and get this one going and get the team going,” Moore said.
He said in May he expects to hire about 28 full- and part-time employees.
Moore opened his first Calico Cactus in a former Tijuana Flats restaurant at 833 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd. along the San Sebastian River in St. Augustine. The location seats 82 people inside and 24 on the patio. There is no drive-thru.
The menu and other information is at calicocactus.com.
Moore has added new items based on customer input that include Pancake Tacos; Tumbleweed Tots, which are stuffed fried hash browns; and energy-infused refreshers.
Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, Calico Cactus is fast-casual, where guests order at the front counter, take their seats and food is delivered to the table.
Workers make the flour tortillas throughout the day. Soft corn tortillas also are available.
The menu focuses on soft tacos for breakfast and lunch with chips and dips, sides, salads, bowls, kids’ meals and sweet treats.
Moore said the tortillas, salsas and sauces are made from scratch. A salsa station of mild, medium and hot sauces allows customers to choose or mix to their tastes.
A barista-staffed coffee bar features coffee and tea, espresso drinks and lattes, and agua frescas, limeade and more.
There are mimosas; bottled and canned drinks that include beer and a margarita; sweet tea; chocolate milk; and the energy frescas.
Moore, his co-founder, investors and store leaders sold Maple Street Biscuit Co. in 2019 to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. for $36 million.
He started the concept to sell biscuit sandwiches and coffee.
After a noncompete period following the sale to Cracker Barrel, Moore settled on Calico Cactus as his next concept.
Moore said he and the Calico Cactus partners, including some former Maple Street investors, want to open several locations and then start franchising.