Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse appears to be the next restaurant newcomer to Jacksonville, planning to open at The Strand at Town Center.
The concept is owned by Fogo de Chao Inc., based in Dallas. The holding company, through its subsidiaries, operates more than 30 restaurants in the U.S. and more in Brazil along with a joint venture location in Mexico.
A map shows Fogo de Chao is planned on an outparcel along Town Center Parkway, although a concurrency reservation certificate signed Monday lists the address as Gate Parkway.
The 8,549-square-foot restaurant will occupy a 1.3-acre site.
At The Strand and its companion The Crossing at Town Center, it joins other new-to-town eateries — Chuy’s, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Moe’s Southeast Grill and PDQ also are going into the developments.
The Strand and Crossing are under development opposite St. Johns Town Center.
A Fogo de Chao representative was researching answers to questions about the Jacksonville plans.
The fogodechao.com site says the first Fogo de Chao opened in 1979 in Brazil. It brought the concept to the U.S. in 1997. It has restaurants in Miami and Orlando.
The company says the name is pronounced “fo-go dèe shoun” and it means campfire or fire on the ground, although there is no literal translation.
A Brazilian steakhouse also is called a churrascaria, which specializes in preparing meats using a Brazilian cooking technique of fire roasting and grilling, then carving the meats tableside.
Fogo de Chao serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. There also is a bar.
Its menu includes steaks, chicken, lamb and pork along with seafood; the Market Table of seasonal salads, cheeses, cured meats, seafood and more; sides; and desserts.
Fogo won’t be far from a competitor. Newcomer Texas de Brazil Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse intends to open in the neighboring Town Center Promenade development in 2017.
Publix joining Palencia center
Palencia in St. Johns County will gain a Publix Super Markets Inc. grocery store at the Palencia Commons Shopping Center.
Franklin Street and Cape Asset Management announced Wednesday that Publix executed a 20-year lease to anchor Palencia Commons at 7458 U.S. 1 N. in St. Augustine, at the entrance to the Palencia development.
The 45,600-square-foot Publix will be the first grocery store tenant there since Food Lion closed in 2012. The Publix space will be completely redeveloped within the center.
It is expected the build-out could start in early 2017 and be complete by 2018.
Katy Figg with Franklin Street is the exclusive leasing broker for Palencia Commons, which is managed by Cape Asset Management.
Also, Franklin Street and Cape Asset Management said the center would be renovated and will add 16,800 square feet of space.
Workout Anytime and Broad River Tavern will open in the additional shops.
Currently, 4,000 square feet of retail is available at the center and another 8,700 square feet is available in the planned shopping space.
Palencia Commons was built in 2008 and will be 90 percent occupied with the addition of Publix, but not including the new space.
Palencia is a 2,350-acre community with home sites, a golf course, clubhouse, parks, trails and open areas.
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