Veteran restaurant and bar owner Scott McAlister bought the former Mossfire Grill building Jan. 30 for $1.4 million.
Mossfire Grill at 1537 Margaret St. had a 27-year run before it closed in November. It was known for its homestyle and Tex-Mex fare.
McAlister bought the restaurant through RLSH LLC of Jacksonville.
It was sold by Drew Cavins of Jacksonville through Mossfire Industries LLC.
McAlister is a real estate investor, hospitality entrepreneur and licensed contractor. He owns businesses in the King Street area: The Rogue, a whiskey bar at 927 King St.; The Loft, a nightclub at 925 King St.; The Garage, a pub at 2692 King St.; and the Whiteway Delicatessen at 1237 King St.
Calls and texts to McAlister were not returned.
Cavins and his late wife, Scooter, opened Mossfire Grill in 1998. They paid $240,000 for the building in 2002. The couple sold the business in 2022 to Ben Franco but retained ownership of the building.
In May 2025, Franco teamed with spouses John and Leah Ogle to house their bakery in Mossfire Grill. The Ogles operated From Butter with Love weekday mornings and in the early afternoons after Franco discontinued Mossfire Grill lunch service and opted to serve dinner only beginning at 4 p.m.
The Ogles plan to reopen From Butter With Love in a Downtown storefront at 223 N. Hogan St. that previously housed The Mini Market. The Ogles were approved for a $24,450 incentive through the Downtown Investment Authority on March 18 in the form of a forgivable, no-interest grant amortizing at 33.33% per year for three years.
The two-story Margaret Street building was built in 1951 on 0.07 acre. Mossfire included an open kitchen and two indoor dining areas. Outside seating was also available.
The second floor had a full bar and additional seating.