The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, an award-winning hospitality team based in Charleston, South Carolina, has announced its newest restaurant location set to open in Jacksonville Beach in early 2022. This will be the first restaurant by the group to open in Florida and the seventh O-Ku location.
The menu will provide a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine. The modern O-Ku restaurants offer rare and unique dining options with sashimi and specialty rolls, sourcing seafood from the finest fish markets in Tokyo and Hawaii, alongside well-known local fisheries and local purveyors.
O-Ku Jacksonville Beach, located at 502 First St. North, is across from the pier and is among a few select restaurants at the Beaches to offer ocean views, and the especially coveted rooftop dining and bar.
"Once we visited Jax Beach, it immediately felt like home for O-Ku," said Steve Palmer, Indigo Road Hospitality Group founder. "We are always looking for vibrant coastal communities to plant roots in, and what could be better than fresh sushi among a beautiful beach view? This is a wonderful community with welcoming neighbors, and we are looking forward to joining the growing culinary scene here."
Palmer is not new to the Florida hospitality scene. Prior to forming The Indigo Road in 2009, Palmer served as vice president of food and beverage for the Ginn Clubs and Resorts, where he managed 11 properties in the Southeast and the Caribbean. Much of his time was spent at the varied properties, where he grew an appreciation for Florida living and hospitality.
The Indigo Road was welcomed to the area by Trevato Development Group, owner of the prime 502 First Street location.
“This stretch of First Street North is home to our headquarters located in the former J. Johnson Gallery,” said Katelyn Taylor, head of operations of Trevato Development Group. “We are excited to have O-Ku, a restaurant with a strong reputation throughout the Southeast, as a neighbor. Their opening coinciding with the completion of The Gallery’s rooftop event space will make this block of Jacksonville Beach a destination.”
The O-Ku space will be open for dinner and cocktails initially, with lunch hours to follow in early spring. The restaurant is about 4,400 square feet and can seat up to 165 guests.
The menu will feature traditional O-Ku signature items with a balance of locally inspired chef specials.
