A popular family-owned Atlantic Beach bistro known for its inspired, upscale coastal and American-fusion menu plans to close permanently "after five wonderful years."
AB Kitchen will shut its doors on Nov. 16 as its lease expires at 299 Atlantic Blvd. on a historic corner at Beaches Town Center in the heart of the oceanfront restaurant and retail district.
The restaurant from Jacksonville Beach-based Southern Table Hospitality — founded and owned by husband-and-wife chef Ben and Liza Groshell — announced the planned closure on social media at lunchtime Monday, Oct. 19.
"As we look ahead to exciting new projects, we’ve made the decision not to renew our lease and focus on the next chapter of Southern Table Hospitality," they wrote in the Facebook
post. "We’re also happy to share that our incredible ABK team will continue to be part of our restaurant family at our other locations."
The Groshells also thanked customers and the community for its support, emphasizing it was essential to the AB Kitchen's success.
"From familiar faces to first-time visitors, you’ve made our time here something truly special. Every meal shared, every celebration, and every moment around our tables has meant so much to us," they said in the post.
AB Kitchen took over and renovated the space formerly used by the original MShack, which closed in September 2021 after a decade in business at First Street and Ocean Boulevard. Next door is Grafton & Fleck's, a new upscale steakhouse with a rooftop lounge under construction to replace Ragtime Tavern, the legendary dining landmark that closed abruptly last year after 42 years.
AB Kitchen is a concept founded and led by the Groshells' sons, Nick and Jacob Groshell, who worked their way up in the restaurant business.
Nick Groshell, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, is the executive chef, while Jacob Groshell, who has a business degree, is the manager of the restaurant.
The brothers literally grew up in the restaurant business working beside their parents. Along the way, they also became competitive surfers, earning top honors riding waves locally and other surfing destinations, including Nicaragua.
Those experiences and travels helped inspire the restaurant concept and menu, they told the Times-Union shortly after AB Kitchen opened.
The brothers described the restaurant as “fresh curated cuisine matched with a modern coastal experience.”
Family restaurant roots run deep
AB Kitchen was a true family affair.
Ben Groshell helped create the menu and lent management advice. Liza Groshell was responsible for the décor at AB Kitchen as well as the family’s other restaurants. The brothers' sister, Maxine Groshell, handled special events and catering for AB Kitchen plus front-of-the-house matters at all the restaurants.
Ben and Liza Groshell founded, own and operate multiple popular Jacksonville-area restaurants, ranging from fish camps to barbecue and a coastal fine-dining favorite.
Their other restaurants include fine dining Marker 32 in Jacksonville; Billy Jack's BBQ in North Jacksonville; Valley Smoke in Ponte Vedra Beach; Dockside Seafood Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach; and Julington Creek, North Beach, Palm Valley and St. Augustine fish camps.
Another in the works: Trout Creek Restaurant, as it's identified on county public records, is planned for 6595 State Road 13 N., overlooking the tributary that flows into the nearby St. Johns River.
In addition, their restaurant group also owns Southern Provisions, which provides "fine seafood, meats and cheeses" to upscale Northeast Florida restaurants.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'After five wonderful years,' Atlantic Beach restaurant set to close
