Dessert is on the way to The Palms at Gate Parkway, where restaurants have been opening and planning to set up.
The city issued a building permit April 1 for the Chocolate Bar store and dessert cafe at 7570 Gate Parkway, Unit 107-108, next to the Fore Score Golf Tavern, which plans its grand opening April 5.
It is the first U.S. franchised location for FNB Chocolate Bar, whose website shows the address as the only branch in the country.
According to fnb-chocolatebar.com, the desserts concept restaurant was established in 2014 in Beirut, Lebanon. It has 44 branches in 10 countries and more than five branches in progress.
The menu’s extensive “ultimate chocolate guide” includes crepes, chocolate-covered rolls, crepe “pouches,” pancakes, “chocolate burgers,” waffles, cookies, pans, muffins, chocolate and fruit pizzas, volcano and lava cakes, a “Sweet Mountain Eclair,” bowls, ice cream, cheesecake, fondant and more.
Drinks include milkshakes, smoothies, frappes, fruit mojitos, teas, hot chocolate coffees and more.
There also is a menu featuring lighter options.
AEC Integrated of Jacksonville is the contractor for the $120,000 project to renovate 2,010 square feet of space for Chocolate Mood Inc., doing business as Chocolate Bar.
Plans show waffle and crepe makers, an espresso machine, gelato and soft serve, warm and cold displays and fountains.
The storefront is next to a second-floor corridor. Opposite that is Foxtail Coffee Co.
Wael Arnous of Saint Johns is the president of Chocolate Bar Inc., registered with the state Sept. 28, 2023, and of Chocolate Mood Inc., registered Nov. 5, 2024.
The website says FNB Chocolate Bar “is always looking into creating dessert art pieces which come out of the ordinary. Our menu offers various selections satisfying all the different tastes.”
“We are proud to have our own production kitchen ensuring that our ingredients are home-made specially for our customers. In addition, we have our own customized and registered chocolate line in one of the premium chocolate factories in Belgium.”
The site says that FNB Chocolate Bar has “been passionate about chocolate for the past 10 years. Our journey began with a vision: to bring the most delicious desserts to communities around the world.”
It says it began its first franchise back in 2016 and has branches in United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Congo, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
The Palms at Gate Parkway comprises three two-story buildings at 7510, 7540 and 7570 Gate Parkway.
V Pizza anchors 7510 Gate Parkway, the building closest to Atlantic Self Storage.
The Chocolate Bar is in the building by Burnt Mill Road.
Palms at Gate Parkway is north of Ikea, which is at northwest Gate Parkway and Interstate 295.
Palms at Gate Parkway developer Ash Properties anchors the second floor of the central building at 7540 Gate Parkway.