These days the Beaches restaurant scene is a survival of the fittest sort of game. In recent months there has been a flurry of activity as old restaurants close doors and new ones pop up in their place, hoping they have the recipe for success.
One restaurant lacking the recipe for success was the Yucatan Taco Stand in Jacksonville Beach. After opening to rave reviews and a great deal of excitement in the summer of 2009, the restaurant abruptly closed its doors on Christmas Eve.
John Morales, a former server at the restaurant said business stayed steady during the first month but things quickly tapered off.
"It was totally full for the first several weeks but things slowed down, and after our first meeting, it was clear that things were not going to go well," said Morales.
Morales said things slowed down so rapidly that food was spoiling in the cooler before it could even be served.
One week before Christmas Eve two-thirds of the kitchen staff was laid off.
Rufus Freeman, a former executive chef at the Yucatan Taco stand said for several weeks management had thrown around the idea of having to shut things down but decided against it.
Freeman said there were several liens against the restaurant and right before Christmas investors panicked — afraid they wouldn’t get their money.
"They basically came in and took everything," said Freedman.
The restaurant was stripped bare of everything after closing for the night on Dec. 23, forcing the owners to shut the doors permanently.
Morales said it was a tough day for everyone.
"People were crying about losing their job," said Morales. "Losing your job is tough anytime but to lose your job on Christmas Eve was shocking. What took months to put in was taken out in a couple of hours."
But the Yucatan Taco stand is not alone, it’s just one of dozens of local restaurants that have been battered by an economic downturn and forced to close its doors. Cruiser’s Grill, Santioni’s, Harry’s Seafood, Ruby Tuesday’s and Dicks Wings are just a few of the victims of the economy — forced to close doors on some or all of their Beaches locations.
Despite hard times, things aren’t all bad. Many local restaurants have prospered enough to expand, while other entrepreneurs see the difficult economic climate as the perfect time to make their restaurant dreams a reality.
Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, the Salt Life Food Shack recently began operations in the former location of Harry’s Seafood. So far, business has stayed steady for the Salt Life Food Shack and the restaurant has attracted over 1,600 fans on its Facebook page.
Jacksonville Beach’s Paco’s Mexican Grill is another restaurant that has managed to prosper during tough economic times.
"We needed more space to accommodate more guests and for live entertainment," said Jaime Aquino, general manager of Paco’s. "We’ve been moving at a snail space doing it [expanding], because of the economy, but we’re moving forward. "
With renovations complete, Paco’s now has approximately 1,200 square feet of additional floor space and a deck to accommodate live bands.
Aquino said in addition to the larger building, the restaurant will expand its menu and feature a variety of new items.
Just down the street from Paco’s, in the old home of Mario’s Pizza, plans are underway to open Jamrock Bar and Grille, a Caribbean themed restaurant and bar.
The restaurant has a grand opening scheduled for Mar. 5
Further down A1A in the Marsh Landing shopping center Chick-fil-A is now open. Construction on the new location is complete and the restaurant held a grand opening Feb. 4 and gave the first 100 customers in line free food for one year.
Continue driving south down A1A and you’ll find that Woody’s Bar-B-Q in Ponte Vedra has reopened. The restaurant closed in September of 2009 but now has a new owner and held a grand reopening Feb. 1.
If you venture just a little further down the road into Sawgrass Village you’ll find preparation underway to open Salsa Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant is slated to open in the old site of Mackenzie’s Steakhouse in one week.
While these may be uncertain economic times, there is something that can be said with certainty — the restaurant directory in your phonebook is likely dated by the time it arrives at your door.
shanegriffis@pontevedrarecorder.com
(904)285-8831 ext.31
