Southern Grounds & Co. is building-out a coffee shop in St. Augustine. It will be the Jacksonville-based coffee shop and restaurant’s seventh location.
The shop is planned in the historic district at 124 King St. in a 2,820-square-foot home previously occupied by the Catholic Daughters Club. It is about a mile south of San Sebastian Winery.
Southern Grounds has locations in Neptune Beach, San Marco and Avondale, and two at Jacksonville International Airport pre- and post-security. The original location, in Neptune Beach, opened in 2016. A Mayo Clinic shop was announced in May.
In a Facebook post, owner Mark Janasik wrote, “Proud to announce we are coming soon @southerngroundsco to St. Aug; 124 King Street. Construction is underway and the city has been amazingly supportive of our project.
“Over the next several months we will be onboarding our St. Augustine team. (General Manager, Kitchen Manager, supervisors, baristas, crew, etc).”
Janasik said in a July 31 email the St. Augustine shop is expected to open mid-December and have 10-15 employees.
He is working with architects and interior designers Group 4 Design and Cronk Duch Architecture of Jacksonville on the project. St. Augustine-based homebuilder Corner Construction Services Inc. is the contractor.
“We aim to create a vibrant, light-filled and inviting environment that provides positive energy to support and uplift the community.
“From our perspective, St. Augustine is a beautiful city steeped in colonial history, has a world-class art, food and music scene and a strong local and tourist component. For us, St. Augustine offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, food and beverage, and family-friendly attractions,” he said.
Aside from coffee-based drinks, Southern Grounds serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers Blueberry Artisan Bakery goods.
As for future locations, Janasik said he plans to expand “thoughtfully.”
“We are targeting great food cities in the Southeast as we expand not only Southern Grounds but our other restaurant concepts,” he said.
Janasik also is the owner of Mexican restaurant Oaxaca Club in Jacksonville Beach and St. Nicholas-based Blueberry Artisan Bakery & Cafe. New restaurant concept Alder & Oak is in Brooklyn.