Popular gourmet potato restaurant closing Orange Park Mall location

A popular homegrown gourmet potato restaurant that began in the home kitchen of a Jacksonville husband and wife plans to close its food court location at Orange Park Mall.

Founders and co-owners Lakita and Aaron Spann will shut down Mr. Potato Spread in the mall effective Friday after three years.

This decision comes as the restaurant's lease expires at the mall but that doesn't make the decision any easier, Lakita Spann told the Times-Union.

"The restaurant industry has experienced significant changes in recent years. By consolidating our operations into one location at River City and our food truck, we can focus on delivering quality over quantity. This strategic move allows us to streamline our efforts and ensure that we maintain the high standards our customers expect," she said.

Mr. Potato Spread is known for jumbo white potatoes and sweet potatoes baked then split down the middle, stuffed with steak, pulled pork, seafood or veggies. The menu also features tater tots, fries, salads and more.

The closure comes as Mr. Potato Spread approaches its 10th anniversary. The couple launched the baked potato dining concept in August 2014 in their Jacksonville kitchen as a catering service, then grew it into a popular food truck before expanding to the food courts of two Jacksonville-area shopping malls.

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Remaining open, she emphasized, is the restaurant at 840 Nautica Drive, #117, in River City Marketplace, as well as its food truck and catering operations.

The Spanns announced the Orange Park location closure on social media Wednesday morning.

"The good news is that many of our most tenured and loved staff members will be moving with us to River City. This means you’ll continue to see familiar faces and receive the same great service you’ve come to expect. By bringing all of our best people and resources under one roof, we can focus on what truly matters — our employees and our customers," the Spanns posted on Facebook and Instagram.

In addition, they will be able to get the food truck "on the road more often, and use the River City Marketplace location for future "fun and exciting events," they also posted.

The Orange Park closure comes about six months after the first Mr. Potato Spread franchise closed at 7159 Philips Highway a year after its opening.

The restaurant's original brick-and-mortar location in the Regency Square Mall food court , 9501 Arlington Expressway, closed in September 2022 after about 3 1/2-years.

In the closure announcement, the Spanns thanked their customers, team and community for their support.

Their customers responded with words of understanding and encouragement:

"I'm so sorry to hear this. So many victims to this crappy economy and the downfall of shopping malls. Y'all have an amazing concept, great food, great service, and all-around good peoples!" one man posted the restaurant's Facebook page.

One woman pledged, "I’ll follow you wherever you go!"

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: Popular gourmet potato restaurant closing Orange Park Mall location