Now Open
Lily’s Asian American Food has opened downtown at 11 E. Forsyth St., in the former Super Food & Brew location. The restaurant offers a fusion of Filipino and American flavors, featuring dishes like a beef and pork burger, Filipino beef lumpia, and oxtail kare-kare—a traditional peanut-based stew with oxtail, beef, bok choy, string beans, and eggplant, served with rice. Lily’s will celebrate its grand opening with an anime-themed event on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Expanding its presence in Duval, Arepa Please recently opened a second location at 469 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach following a soft launch on Jan. 12. Known for its Venezuelan arepas—cornmeal pockets filled with a variety of meats and toppings—the restaurant also offers sandwiches, salads, sides, and Venezuelan coffee.
Pizza Hut
A new Pizza Hut location has opened in St. Johns County at 10580 US Highway 1 N in Ponte Vedra Beach. Operated by the Flynn Group LP, the largest Pizza Hut franchisee in the U.S., this new 1,393-square-foot restaurant employs approximately 15 people and features a modern, compact design. Guests can enjoy classic Pizza Hut favorites, including pizza, wings, pasta, and melts, with hours extending from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening Soon
Chicken Salad Chick
A fifth Jacksonville-area Chicken Salad Chick is set to open in the Publix-anchored Roosevelt Square Shopping Center at 4495 Roosevelt Blvd. The 2,650-square-foot space, built by Adkins Construction for $350,000, will feature a menu centered around chicken salad sandwiches, soups, and salads.
So Fresh
The fresh casual concept So Fresh is making its Jacksonville debut next to Chicken Salad Chick at Roosevelt Square Shopping Center. Founded in Tampa, this will be the 19th So Fresh location, offering made-to-order bowls, salads, and wraps made with whole meats and fresh vegetables. The franchise is operated by AE&G Group LLC, with RPC General Contractors handling the $310,000 build-out of the 1,200-square-foot space. Two additional Jacksonville locations are also planned.
Conie’s Ice Cream
Arlington’s newest ice cream shop, Conie’s Ice Cream, is set to open soon at 903 University Blvd. in College Park (formerly Town & Country Shopping Center). The 1,300-square-foot space will offer 33 different sundae and shake toppings, along with kosher, sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free ice cream options.
Coming Later
Mikata Buffet
A new Mikata Buffet is coming to Jacksonville at 8720 Baymeadows Road, in the former Red Lobster building. The 7,496-square-foot space will be renovated at a cost of $282,606, featuring five buffet stations and 46 tables. This will be Florida’s second Mikata Buffet, serving a mix of Chinese, sushi, and American dishes.
Shake Shack
A new Shake Shack is in development at the South Beach Regional shopping center in Jacksonville Beach. This will be the second Jacksonville location for the New York-based burger chain, which is also in the St. Johns Town Center. The space is undergoing a $100,000 interior renovation along with a $465,000 site improvement and patio addition.
Whataburger
Jacksonville is getting a new Whataburger location at 5084 Lenox Ave., with construction costs estimated at $1.85 million. The Texas-based fast-food chain will include a drive-thru for quick service.
Recently Closed
Slim Chickens
Plans for a Jacksonville Slim Chickens franchise were scrapped after Kalo Holdings LLC, owned by former NFL player Angelo Crowell and his wife, Kimberly Crowell, sold the intended Glen Kernan Park site in November. There is no word on whether they still plan to bring the restaurant to the area.
CamiCakes Cupcakes
After 19 years in Jacksonville, CamiCakes Cupcakes has closed its last remaining area location in Tinseltown at 9734 Deer Lake Court. The company, founded by Andra Hall and named after her daughter Camille, is now focusing on its stores in Atlanta and Texas.
Wild Pie
Wild Pie’s Jacksonville location in Hodges Pointe Plaza shut its doors at the end of January. The vegan pizza restaurant, which originally opened in November 2023, continues to operate its Gainesville location.
Island Donuts
Island Donuts has closed its Atlantic Beach location, marking another Jacksonville-area closure. The donut shop, which first opened in St. Augustine in 2020, still operates at its original location. Owners Matt Conner and Ashley Groome hinted at a possible return to Jacksonville in the future.
With new spots opening and some favorites saying goodbye, Jacksonville’s dining scene continues to evolve. Which of these new openings are you most excited about?
Contact the Top Realtors in Jacksonville Beach Today
If you’re ready to find your dream home in Jacksonville Beach or Neptune Beach, don’t wait any longer. Contact Fluid Realty, the best realtors in Jacksonville Beach, and let us help you make your real estate dreams a reality.
Visit our website at www.fluidrealty.com to explore our current listings, or give us a call today to schedule a consultation. Your perfect home is just a click or a call away!
