After 12 years, Jacksonville Beach oceanfront restaurant announces plans to close

After a dozen years, Salt Jax Beach is closing.

In a social media post on Monday, the oceanfront bar and grill said that it will close its doors at 333 1 ^st St. N. in Jacksonville Beach following a farewell party on Labor Day weekend.

The decision to close comes weeks after the building that houses the restaurant was sold.

But the decision to close came “not from [Salt’s] failure,” but from plans by the new owners "to develop this beloved spot into a hotel,” the restaurant’s owners wrote in the social media post.

Evan Rajta, manager of Salt Jax Beach, told the Times-Union that he and his sister, Manjola Rajta, who owns the restaurant, are still in shock.

"It's terrible but what can you do? Someone else owns the building now and they don't want any tenants in here, so they are getting everybody out," he said.

According to Duval County property records, the sale to Ocala-based Ocean Crown LLC includes two buildings at the site: a 3-story, 34,291-square-foot oceanfront structure built in 1932 and the second, a two-story, 5,004-square-foot building dating back to 1938.

The two buildings are also home to Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House and The Shim Sham Room, a popular cocktail lounge.

Officials with the property's new owner couldn't be reached immediately for comment.

Evan Rajta said initially there was some indication that Salt might be able to stay but that changed within about a week.

"That's why it was so abrupt," he said. "Our lease is over at the end of the month and we just weren't going to try to fight it. It is what it is at this point."

He also said that they had hoped to be able to relocate in Jacksonville Beach but so far haven't found any potential locations that fit their needs.

"I'm sure in the future there will be something, but as of right now, we have not seen anything available," he said, noting that Salt needs to have a patio to accommodate its "Sunday Funday" activities.

Salt Jax Beach opened as Ocean Grille and Bar in October 2012 before taking its current name in March 2019, according to state restaurant records and the restaurant’s social media posts. Before that, the oceanfront dining space was home to the short-lived Sakana and Blue Bar, and before that, Atlantic.

“The past 13+ years have been challenging for many businesses in Jacksonville Beach, but through it all, our loyal customers — our Salt family — have been our greatest strength,” the restaurant wrote in the social post. “We’ve shared so many wonderful times together, and we are endlessly grateful for your support, your smiles, and the joy you’ve brought into this space.”

It is with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that we announce the closing of Salt Jax Beach. After 13+ incredible years...

Posted by SALT Jax Beach on Monday, August 19, 2024

If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get access to all of our latest dining coverage.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: After 12 years, Jacksonville Beach oceanfront restaurant announces plans to close