Candy Apple Café & Cocktails permanently closed

[remc86007]

The more I think about it, the more this reminds me of what happened with Lillie's: http://www.jacksonville.com/business/2015-10-15/story/popular-neptune-beach-coffee-bar-lillies-announces-abrupt-closing

I thought I heard back when that happened that the Landlords thought they could take over and make more money that way. I wonder if Lemonis is thinking the same thing like JaxAvondale said.

[Bill Hoff]

Interesting in that the DIA referenced Sweet Pete's success in their approval of Jones Furniture funds on Monday.

How do they not have a pulse on these things?

Sweet Pete's is not the Candy Apple.

[Bill Hoff]

MLG is opening in the former Candy Apple space, as some hypothesized.

https://www.jaxrestaurantreviews.com/news/reality-tv-star-set-open-new-restaurant-jax/

[JaxAvondale]

MLG is opening in the former Candy Apple space, as some hypothesized.

https://www.jaxrestaurantreviews.com/news/reality-tv-star-set-open-new-restaurant-jax/

I saw this move from a mile away.

[fieldafm]

Will miss Candy Apple, but a big fan of Roderick/Sweet Pete.   Hopefully he'll have some of his signature specials on the menu from time to time.

[Captain Zissou]

This is the best news i've heard in a while! Crack and cheese and steak tips followed by some sea salt caramels and peanut butter meltaways!!!

[heights unknown]

I smell something fishy here. Lemonis owns the building, candy apple is cited for health violations by inspectors, renovations being done on the building and candy apple has to close during that period, but can't reopen possibly because of too much time being closed (possibly), and/or health violations (who knows?). I believe Lemonis saw dollar signs and under handedly, and behind the scenes, figured out a way to get candy apple to close. Just sounds and looks like a tuna, herring, and mackerel, sitting out in the sun for a week, to me.

[JPalmer]

The proprietors of the Candy Apple simply did not want to hold over until the place could reopen.  Trying to keep a staff in place was an almost near impossibility and unfair really to expect the staff not to find work elsewhere. 

I can assure subletting a restaurant space is certainly much easier for the Lemonis Group than running a restaurant and this was just unfortunate situation of such an extended closing.

[KenFSU]

The only thing that struck me as a little odd was the sudden change of heart by Candy Apple. One night, they post that the restaurant is closing indefinitely for repairs, but will be reopening as soon as they're done. The very next morning, they post that the restaurant is closing forever.

Not that either is particularly likely, but to me, if we're talking conspiracy, a buyout is just as likely as a squeeze-out.

[Steve]

Target Reopen is "before Christmas"

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/10/04/sweet-petes-releases-renovation-details-plans-to.html?ana=e_ae_set1&s=article_du&ed=2018-10-04&u=sD9MMQJ5aqzS%2FF7ux8TElw07e67c32&t=1538681293&j=84214521

[KenFSU]

Went over to MLG for the first time today for lunch.

Big step down from Candy Apple, in my humble opinion.

The food was really good, but there's just kind of a weird vibe in there.

It doesn't fit with the candy shop vibe at all.

[Captain Zissou]

^I agree completely.  The food is fantastic, but the overall vibe is a bit strange. 

[Jagsdrew]

Well...after 5 months, MLG is now closed.

[thelakelander]

Wow. I never got a chance to try them out.

[KenFSU]

^Consider yourself lucky.

They never should have squeezed Candy Apple out.

Place was constantly packed out, a Sunday brunch staple, and the perfect complement to Sweet Pete's.

Never made sense to replace a whimsical, tremendously on-brand, candy-themed restaurant with a lifeless contemporary space serving bland $20 salads and having roughly the romance and vibe of the waiting room at a dentist's office.