Jacksonville’s core is gaining a Southern and Creole restaurant now that the city issued a permit March 4 for Glory Homes Inc. to renovate space for Dorothy’s Downtown at a project cost of $180,000.
Dorothy’s Downtown is taking the space of the former Burrito Gallery at 21 E. Adams St., between Ocean and Main streets.
The Hidden District 2 LLC will own and operate the restaurant, which is shown as a 3,902-square-foot project.
Dorothy’s Downtown would occupy a portion of the space in a roughly 6,100-square-foot, two-story building, which also houses Indochine, a Thai restaurant. Indochine will remain as the building’s second-floor tenant.
The Downtown Investment Authority board approved a $173,055 incentive package Sept. 18 for Dorothy’s Downtown.
The incentives comprise a five-year, $167,380 Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program forgivable loan and a $5,675 Sidewalk Enhancement grant.
A term sheet included in the packet said the applicants plan to spend $353,167 to build-out the Dorothy’s Downtown space, plus $7,094 to create sidewalk dining space.
The staff report lists the applicants for the incentives as 21 E Adams St LLC and The Hidden District LLC doing business as Dorothy’s Downtown.
Downtown investor Elias Hionides is listed as managing member of 21 E Adams St LLC and Felicia Luke and Jorge Gonzalez are listed as owners/operators of The Hidden District LLC.
An Aug. 12 report in the Daily Record identified the owners of Dorothy’s Downtown as Felicia Luke, Jorge Gonzales, Ashley McCaskey and Jim Broy. The restaurant group bought the Walnut Inn at 2026 Walnut St. in Springfield in 2019 and opened The District SPR in 2020.
The report said Hionides bought the now 115-year-old building Aug. 2 for $1.6 million.
A dinner menu included in the DIA board agenda listed appetizers at $9 to $22, “second” dishes such as vegan sausage etouffee and shrimp and grits for $18 to $28, a la carte from $4 to $12, and steaks and chops from $34 to $48.
A brunch menu offers appetizers from $9 to $14, entrees from $18 to $38, a la carte items from $6 to $14, and seafood and grits from $25 to $36.