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Cruisers Grill reopens at Jax Beach after $1.4 million renovation

The Jacksonville Beach staple restaurant shut down on September 17 for $1.4 million worth of renovations, the first significant updates to the building since it opened in 1996.
Credit: Jacksonville Business Journal
The restaurant reopened after a $1.4 million renovation.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Cruisers Grill isn't open yet, strictly speaking. It's still in a soft reopening phase. But you couldn't tell by driving by the restaurant at 319 23rd Ave. S., according to the Jacksonville Business Journal.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, it was packed.

The Jacksonville Beach staple restaurant shut down on September 17 for $1.4 million worth of renovations, the first significant updates to the building since it opened in 1996. Folks heard about it and called their friends. Hundreds of people showed up in the first two days.

"We must have fed 30 people today who just walked in randomly," said owner Bobby Handmaker. "What are we going to do, say we're not open and not feed them? Of course not."

Cruisers Grill has new paint, a new facade and a brand-new full bar. It also has an expanded outdoor patio with 40 more seats and new finishes as well as a brand-new full-service open kitchen.

Handmaker said it turned out exactly how he pictured it in his mind's eye, from the wall of bourbon to the decorative bikes. He walked around the restaurant grinning, shaking hands, and pointing out regulars.

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