JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — With several patrons and employees of Jacksonville Beaches-area bars and restaurants being diagnosed with COVID-19 in the days following the reopening of bars in Florida, several businesses are opting to close shop. Many are having their facilities deep cleaned and sanitized and requiring employees to be tested for the novel coronavirus.
Lynch's Irish Pub in Jax Beach reopened Tuesday morning at 11 after being closed for several days due to at least a dozen patrons reporting they tested positive for COVID-19. The bar has since been deeply sanitized.
Here's what we know about the status of the following bars and restaurants:
Angie's Sub Shop
1436 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Angie's posted on Facebook Tuesday morning an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The worker is "asymptomatic and feeling fine" according to a Facebook post, but was in contact with a friend who tested positive so decided to get tested herself. The sub shop is now asking customers and employees to get tested while they close as a safety precaution to sanitize the restaurant. The owner says they are hoping to reopen Thursday at 10 a.m.
RELATED: Angie's in Jacksonville Beach closes for cleaning after employee tests positive for COVID-19
Catullo's Italian
1650-2 San Pablo Rd. S Jacksonville, FL 32224
Catullo's Italian restaurant near Jacksonville's Atlantic Highlands neighborhood is closing after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.
"That being said, we're closing immediately and having our entire staff tested before returning to work, in addition to the restaurant getting professionally disinfected and sanitized," the restaurant said. "We'll update you when we can."
Ginger's Place
304 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The owner of Ginger's Place in Jacksonville Beach tells First Coast News the bar and package shop does NOT plan to close, but is asking customers to use hand sanitizer before ordering and asks if you don't feel well, stay home. The bar also installed dividers to separate workers from patrons.
Hoptinger
1037 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
333 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Hoptinger in Five Points and Jacksonville Beach announced that due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the area, it will be closed June 17 to June 18 for professional sanitation and for employees to get tested.
"While we have not personally had any cases reported from either of our locations, the safety and health of our staff and patrons comes first," both of their Facebook pages read.
Mellow Mushroom
1018-2 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The Jax Beach location of Mellow Mushroom announced on Facebook it is shutting its doors to deep clean and professionally sanitize its building. The restaurant is asking all employees to get tested "with results in hand prior to returning to work." The post did not indicate how many days the restaurant would be closed.
Mellow Mushroom
9734 Deer Lake Ct Ste 1, Jacksonville, FL 32246
The St. Johns Town Center location of Mellow Mushroom announced on Facebook that it will be closing its doors because it "has been impacted by positive COVID-19 test results." They will be taking the next couple of days to professionally deep clean and sanitize the restaurant. The post did not indicate how many days the restaurant would be closed.
Mini-Bar
1300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The popular donut and coffee shop announced Wednesday that it would be closing for a day as a precautionary measure for the safety of its team and community. The shop says it's had no positive tests or any employees awaiting results, but wanted to be proactive.
"We are taking today to deep clean and sanitize the shop," the Mini Bar posted on Facebook.
The Gate Parkway and Jax Beach Drive-Thru location remain open.
Mini Bar will open back up June 18.
North Beach Fish Camp and Palm Valley Fish Camp
100 1st St., Neptune Beach, FL 32266
299 N. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
The owners of Palm Valley Fish Camp said it, along with North Beach Fish Camp, will be closed on June 18 and June 19 as a precaution following recent COVID-19 cases reported in the area.
"Upon reopening, we will continue to follow best practices," the Facebook post said.
Shim Sham Room
The Shim Sham Room will be closed Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18 for professional sanitation and to have all employees tested.
"While we have not personally had any cases reported from either of our locations, the safety and health of our staff and patrons comes first," said the business on Facebook. "Thank you and stay safe, everyone!"
TacoLu
1712 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
TacoLu announced in a Facebook page it is returning to takeout only until the restaurant has a better understanding of "what's happening around this Beach." The building is being disinfected and sanitized and the restaurant is asking employees who may have been exposed to anyone with the virus to quarantine themselves and get tested Tuesday or Wednesday. The post says no one on staff has had any positive test results, so this is a proactive approach to limit the spread. "It's a small beach," the post says.
The Tavern On 1st and The Wreck
401 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The Tavern On 1st and The Wreck Tiki Lounge, both under the same ownership, announced they would close both establishments following concerns over COVID-19. The owner said he was made aware of customers who visited the business who tested positive for COVID-19. Both bars will be shut down for "the next few days" to sanitize both businesses and to give employees a chance to get tested for the virus.
RELATED: More Jacksonville Beach bars close after having customers who reported positive COVID-19 tests
