Scott Adeeb, owner of Strings Sports Brewery, can finally tell people that his second location is open. The Strings at 1618 Penman Road opened at 4 p.m. Nov. 27.
As he predicted, friends and locals had heard the news by word of mouth and were already at the restaurant before it officially opened.
The sports restaurant and brewery is closed on Thanksgiving but opens at its regular hours 10:30 a.m. to midnight daily on Nov. 29. The restaurant will be closed the evening of Dec. 4 for a private party.
Adeeb also plans to announce the opening on Facebook and Instagram.
The first Strings operated from 1992 through 1997 in Neptune Beach.
Strings opened at 1850 N. Main St. in Springfield in 2019. It is in the former Harriett Building, built in 1938.
Adeeb bought the 0.36-acre property in 2018 for $96,800.
When the Jacksonville Beach Terry’s Country Store closed in 2022, Adeeb saw a chance to reestablish at home. Adeeb grew up in Jacksonville Beach and his sons also live at the Beaches.
“We did it once in Springfield and revamped a great old building and created a brand for ourselves,” Adeeb said.
“Coming to the beach to turn another family-owned business around, that means a lot.”
Adeeb bought the 0.61-acre property in January 2023 for $1.5 million. The building was constructed in 1964.
There is little of Terry’s footprint left in the 9,000-square-foot restaurant that has two large covered patio areas.
Addeb has the capacity for 250 customers.He estimated it will cost $1.5 million to open the new restaurant.
“It’s a great old building. We took it down to the four concrete walls,” he said.
Terry’s is remembered, however. Part of the outdoor sign, a large red ball with the letter “T” inside and “Terry’s” written underneath, hangs on the wall across from the Strings trademark regulation basketball hoop.
While the other baskets have been enclosed by netting so customers can shoot foul shots, the hoop at the Penman Road Strings will see action only during special events, Adeeb said.
There are more than 30 flat-screen TVs, from 55 inches to 85 inches.
The restaurant’s brewery equipment is installed but brewing has not started. Instead, Strings has 60 kegs in a cooler brought from Springfield.
When it opens, there will be nine Strings beers and three guest taps.
During the first month or so as the brewery operation comes online, Adeeb expects there may be a time when there are fewer choices.
If the restaurant runs out of Strings IPAs, for example, it will arrange to serve another local brewer’s IPA.
“It will probably take us six months to where we have got 10 to 14 beers consistently in both places,” Adeeb said.
Strings is a fast-casual restaurant. Customers order beer or another beverage at the bar and choose a table. Each has its own destination.
Food orders are placed at the kitchen counter and food runners will bring the order to the customer.
The menu is sports bar fare that includes wings, smoked brisket, burgers, pulled pork, chicken tenders and salads.
The Adeeb family goes back three generations in the hospitality industry. Restaurants the family has owned include the former Green Turtle on Philips Highway and the Sea Turtle Inn in Atlantic Beach, which is now One Ocean. In 1979, Adeeb’s father, Joe Jr., bought Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q.
Adeeb’s sons and their wives – Trevor and Katie Adeeb and Colby and Victoria Adeeb – work at the restaurant. Adeeb’s sons brew the beer.
While the new store finds its footing, the staff will split time between both Strings restaurants.
The Springfield Strings is deep into the fall sports and holiday seasons. Trevor is working there to stay on top of holiday parties and catering.
Strings’ motto sums up its mission: Family. Beer. Sports.