A restaurant that brought a lively infusion of Latin and Mexican cuisine to the Avondale neighborhood of Jacksonville has closed abruptly, although the owner hopes ultimately to replace it with a new concept.
Iguana on Park, at 3638 Park Ave., shut its doors after Mother’s Day service on May 11 — ending almost four years of business on the corner at Dancy Street, where it was next door to nationally acclaimed Restaurant Orsay.
The restaurant was a sister concept of Mansur’s popular Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar, at 207 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach, which remains open and is doing well, owner Al Mansur told the Times-Union on May 12.
“Unfortunately, economic pressures and rising costs have made continuing the business unsustainable,” Mansur, a veteran Jacksonville restaurateur, said of Iguana on Park.
Mansur noted that changes in guests’ dining habits as well as staffing challenges also contributed to the closure, which he described as a decision “made with a heavy heart.”
“Ever since COVID, the rising costs of the restaurant industry, especially with labor, have gone up so much, and we just can’t afford to raise prices anymore,” he said. “And people don’t come out as often as they used to.”
So, as a result, “we are hunkering down and reorganizing in business,” he said.
The fluctuating economy has triggered a significant ripple effect on restaurants and related businesses, he said.
“The profit margins have shrunk tremendously due to rising costs in labor and goods that are coming to our doors,” Mansur said. “Another rising cost is services. Any kind of services we get at the restaurant, be it repairs, maintenance and such. Their costs have gone up, too, so you have to have the [customer] volumes to justify it.”
Mansur said the restaurant was “immensely grateful to our guests, staff and the community for their unwavering support” of Iguana on Park.
Iguana on Park opened in August 2021 after taking over the building formerly used by South Kitchen + Spirits, which abruptly closed in November 2019 after three years in business.
The eclectic menu offered unique entrees as well as a variety of tacos, ceviches, salads, and soups, as well as craft cocktails and craft beers.
Among the dinner entrees were Peruvian rotisserie chicken, chimichurri ribeye, a whole fish catch of the day, and more. Brunch offerings included Cuban Egg Benedict, Pork Belly and Waffle, and a Spanish frittata, according to its website.
“It’s a very, very sad day for me. I’ve been in business for 37 years and this is the first restaurant that I’m closing,” he said of the closing.
Mansur, via 3638 Park Street LLC — which state corporate records identify him as manager and registered agent — bought the property, including the building, for $1.622 million in November 2020, according to Duval County court and property records.
Renovations and repairs transforming the 6,358-square-foot building and 1,256-square-foot unenclosed area into Iguana on Park were estimated at $200,000, according to an April 13, 2021, city building permit.
Iguana owner exploring potential new restaurant concepts
Mansur said he is exploring different options and “new opportunities to introduce a fresh concept in the future” at the former Iguana on Park site.
“We love the area, and we would love to be back there. But maybe a different concept would fit the area better,” he said.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: After 4 years, Avondale restaurant closes abruptly. Could something new replace it?
Reporting by Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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