Electric Dough Pizza Co. to Debut at San Marco Square

A new pizza concept called Electric Dough Pizza Co. is getting ready to debut later this year in San Marco at 1996 San Marco Blvd.

This is the latest concept from Chef Tom Gray , a Jacksonville native and two-time James Beard Award nominee. He and his wife and business partner, Sarah Marie Johnston , will open the new restaurant in the historic former San Marco Theatre building on San Marco Square, according to a news release. Electric Dough Pizza Co. is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will offer Gray’s signature fresh-from-scratch rectangular pizzas featuring Roman-style dough with Detroit-style edges.

“This location has been a neighborhood cornerstone visually and historically for nearly 90 years. I am thrilled to be able to make it come alive once again to welcome locals and visitors alike,” Gray said in the news release. “San Marco is my home, and we are inspired by the opportunity to preserve the soul of the building and breathe new life into the interior with stylistic touches that mesh our concept with the beauty and presence of the theatre.”

The two are the founders and owners of Prati Italia at 4972 Big Island Drive in the Markets at Town Center and Town Hall, 2012 San Marco Blvd., also within the San Marco Square. Gray said the transition of the lease, initially held by Al’s Pizza founder Al Mansur, was finalized in January. What Now Jacksonville previously reported that Mansur had planned to open his Flying Iguana concept in the space, but he will now instead be an investor in the new restaurant.

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