Southern Grounds, the popular Jacksonville-based café and eatery, is opening a second location at the Beaches this June. The new shop will be located at Costa Verde Plaza (2405 Third St. S., near 25th Avenue South) in Jacksonville Beach, taking over the space formerly occupied by Two|One|Four, a jewelry store that relocated to make room and allow courtyard access for Southern Grounds.
Known for its coffee, teas, smoothies, health drinks, wine, and beer, Southern Grounds also offers full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. This new spot will mirror the Neptune Beach location at 200 First St. (the former Shelby’s), with both indoor and outdoor seating that connects to a courtyard area featuring umbrella-covered tables and a central fire pit.
The business also operates locations in San Marco, Avondale, Jacksonville International Airport, and St. Augustine. Additionally, it’s currently building a café inside Mayo Clinic Jacksonville’s Integrated Oncology Building and is planning a new location in The HUB in Riverside, expected to open in early 2026.
Owner Mark Janasik, who is originally from Greece, emphasizes hospitality over convenience — meaning you won’t find drive-thrus at any Southern Grounds locations. For him, creating inviting, community-centered spaces is key. “Hospitality is at the heart of what we do,” he says. “We want people to hang out, talk, and really enjoy being here.” While they’ve debated removing Wi-Fi to encourage more interaction, Janasik admits doing so might not go over well with regulars.
The Jacksonville Beach location will be about 2,600 square feet, designed by Group 4 Design Inc. and built by RPC of Atlantic Beach. While Janasik didn’t reveal the cost of the project, he said he isn’t worried about competition—even though the shop will be directly across from Bold Bean, another local coffee favorite.
“We’ve never made decisions based on competition,” he said. “More coffee shops and restaurants only strengthen a community. You don’t hear people in Portland complaining about having too many coffee options.”
Southern Grounds also sets itself apart through its food. The company has recently eliminated seed oils from its menu, emphasizing whole, less processed ingredients that align with its health-conscious approach. “We believe in better ingredients,” Janasik said. “Olive oil over canola oil—that’s who we are.”
Information from: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/feb/26/southern-grounds-to-open-second-beaches-location/
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