The three-unit San Marco Theatre Building is fully leased, eight months after the last show.
Missy Riley Art & Pieces intends to move within San Marco Square into the storefront between Stellers Gallery and Iguana San Marco, a new 150-seat restaurant expected to open in the renovated main theater space early next year.
Owner Missy Riley said Aug. 11 she will be moving on San Marco Square from her store at 2006 San Marco Blvd. to 1992 San Marco Blvd.
She said the move – just several storefronts – will be after the holidays.
Riley now leases about 2,500 square feet and will occupy 1,950 square feet upon the move.
“I am happy to get that space for sure,” Riley said. She said her current rent was being raised.
The new location works well, she said. It is next to Stellers Gallery, “which is perfect for us.”
Riley’s studio exhibits artwork from Stellers Gallery, which is owned by her husband, Scott Riley.
In addition to home décor and gifts, Riley offers a design studio specializing in home styling and art consultation.
She also intends to extend her hours with the move.
Missy Riley Art & Pieces operates 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Upon the move, Riley expects to stay open until 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
The lease fills the San Marco Theatre Building, which is owned by TSG Realty.
“Her lease was expiring at her existing location and we wanted to be able to keep her business in San Marco Square,” said Pam Howard, property manager and agent for TSG Realty.
Riley opened the first Missy Riley Art & Pieces in November 2020 in the Southern Grounds building at 3566 St. Johns Ave. in the Shoppes of Avondale.
She opened the second in November 2021 in the San Marco Square space previously occupied by the Dancing Elephant boutique.
The Avondale shop also carries Stellers Gallery artwork.
Jacksonville-based TSG Realty announced Sept. 8, 2022, that it bought the San Marco Theatre and adjacent spaces, including one leased to Stellers Gallery, for $3.35 million.
Stellers Gallery continues to lease its store at 1900 San Marco Blvd.
The spaces at 1992-1996 San Marco Blvd. are being prepared for Iguana San Marco and Missy Riley Art & Pieces.
The buildings were developed in 1938.
TSG began interior removal work of walls and flooring. The theater seating already had been removed.
The city is reviewing building permits for the property to add two storefront openings for the 6,906-square-foot total space.
Plans show the restaurant space is 4,939 square feet and the retail side is 1,967 square feet.
The Colliers Urban Division team of Matthew Clark, Sam Middlekauff and Olivia Steinemann represent the landlord in lease transactions for what is marketed as the San Marco Theatre Building.
The previous owners of the two-screen theater announced Dec. 28, 2022, that the venue would close Jan. 1 because of a changing industry that affected attendance.
Howard said upon the purchase that the historic building and facade will remain.
“We would never demolish this building. It’s structurally sound and looks fantastic,” Howard said.
Al’s Pizza founder Al Mansur said Aug. 9 he signed a lease to open Iguana San Marco in the first quarter of 2024.
“We are going to keep the art deco look on the exterior and carry that look into the interior,” Mansur said.
The Iguana concepts, including Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Neptune Beach and Iguana on Park in Avondale, feature Latin American fusion cuisine with tacos, entrees, spirits and cocktails, including tequilas and local craft beers.
Mansur also owns Al’s Pizza, with five locations in Baymeadows, San Pablo, Riverside, Ponte Vedra and Neptune Beach.
In Beaches Town Center, he also developed COOP 303 and Mezza Luna.
Outside, “we will keep the marquee up,” he said, and the restaurant signage will be incorporated into that.