At least eight restaurants in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine regions ceased operations within a single week, marking a significant period of closures for the local dining scene. The shutdowns include multiple locations of a major fast-food chain as well as several independent establishments that have served the community for years.
Three Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations in the Jacksonville area closed on June 26. These closures follow the bankruptcy filing in January by one of the chain's largest franchisees. The specific locations that shut down include a site on Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach that opened in 1983, another on Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville established in 1990, and the chain's first and oldest restaurant in Jacksonville at 1509 University Boulevard, which began operations in 1977. Two additional Popeyes locations had already closed earlier in the year.
Among the independent businesses that closed are several notable local staples. Amici Italian Restaurant, located at 1915 SR A1A South in St. Augustine, ended its service after 27 years. The restaurant, which was founded in 1999 by Vito Arena and relaunched in 2020 by Freddy and Jenn Underhill, closed on June 27 because the current owners could not find a buyer for the property.
Murray Bros. Caddyshack, a golf-themed restaurant at 455 S. Legacy Trail in World Golf Village, also closed on June 27 after 25 years of operation. The venue was founded by actor Bill Murray and his brothers.
Other closures in the area include Catullo’s Italian at 100 Marketside Avenue in Nocatee Town Center, which shut down three years after expanding to Ponte Vedra Beach. The original Catullo’s location at 1650-2 San Pablo Road South in Jacksonville remains open. Bold City Downtown, a taproom at 109 E. Bay Street, closed on June 27 after nine years. While the downtown location closed, brewery operations founded by Susan and Brian Miller in 2009 will continue at their facility on Rosselle Street in Riverside. Additionally, Prospect Five Points, a wine bar and restaurant at 1521 Margaret Street, closed on June 28 after five years in the historic Five Points neighborhood.
