The city issued a permit Monday for construction of the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar at St. Johns Town Center.
Embree Construction Group Inc. is the contractor for the $2.3 million project to build-out a bar, retail store, dining patios and other space at 4812 River City Drive, No. 137.
Tommy Bahama announced in August that construction would start this fall and be completed by early 2020.
The Tommy Bahama retail store will relocate across the street from 4813 River City Drive, Suite 107, to 4812 River City Drive in the former Brooks Brothers space.
The space combines a full retail store, along with the restaurant and bar where guests order at the counter and have their food and drinks brought to the table.
The walk-up bar will be on the walkway to the Nordstrom entrance.
A menu from the Estero location includes salads, bowls, sandwiches, sliders and tacos, as well as cocktails, beer and wine.
Brooks Brothers temporarily relocated into a storefront near Nordstrom and will move into 4812 River City Drive, Suite 137, next to Tommy Bahama, when construction is complete.
In March, Thomas Chubb III, chairman of Tommy Bahama owner Oxford Industries Inc., said the Marlin Bar planned to open in Jacksonville later this year, along with another location in Fort Lauderdale.
The company operates 17 full-service Tommy Bahama Restaurant Bar & Store locations throughout the country, including four in Florida.
Atlanta-based Oxford Industries owns Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Southern Tide.
“Our full-service restaurants offer our guests a traditional sit-down dining experience. In contrast, the Marlin Bar is a walk-up concept that features a large patio offering a full bar and a food offering featuring small bites, salads and bowls,” Chubb said.
Oxford Industries Chief Financial Officer and Controller Scott Grassmyer said in March three Marlin Bars will open late in the year.
A building permit for a $150,000 interior demolition was approved in February for Tommy Bahama in the former Brooks Brothers space across the street.
