By Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
November 21, 2017 5:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at the Chamber
Friday morning started with the ribbon cutting and open house at the Amelia Island Fernandina Beach Yulee Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Gateway Center. Members and the public witnessed the new open space with conference rooms, offices, a refreshment center and equipment set up for the new Business Resource Innovation Center while networking and munching on breakfast treats. This center is especially useful to small businesses for meetings or remote use when their offices are unavailable or they are on the road. (See the pictures)
Saturday brought 200 motorcycles to the island; the Farmer’s Market; bicycles; old cars meeting at the new Eight Flags Motorsports building on 8th Street (formerly H&H), the Rendezvous Film Festival, and the Peck Gym Friends of the Library Book Sale among some of the activities.
Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club was started in 1980 by Jack Quigley from Carlstadt, New Jersey, whom we caught up with at the Doo Wop diner Saturday morning with 3 buddies from Jersey and Tampa. The club is open to members to honor the memory of American Veterans and police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist vets and police officers in time of need and to serve their communities in charitable efforts.
This is the 8th time they have been to our area . There are 70 chapters in the United States and Canada and they are listed on their website Nam Knights of America. They certainly got some great weather except for a little rain shower when they left on Sunday.
New Owners at Arte’s
Arte’s Pizza opened in 2006 by Antonio Tizzano and family as a small pizza place at the corner of North 3rd and Alachua in downtown Fernandina Beach. Over the years it expanded into a larger, modern and contemporary Italian restaurant with a wood-fired red pizza oven, bustling with young and old customers alike.
Now new owners Jon and Nicole Anderson with Joey and Sabrina Helms have taken over the restaurant, returning to table service. Sabrina managed the restaurant for 8 years and Joey has been in the restaurant industry for over a decade. Jon owns the Kerrington Group (staffing business) and Nicole owns Wiggle Worms. They plan to keep the same menu and add new items as they go depending on customer feedback.
Currently they are serving Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9:30 p.m; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11:30 to 3 pm and 4 to 9:30 pm and are closed Tuesdays. Don’t forget to check their Facebook website for details. No reservations are accepted.
We wish them continued good luck and this reporter hopes they will bring back their antipasti to go with their fabulous Caesar salad.
As a side note, Tonio keeps busy with his new Sabbia Mediterranean restaurant down the street with many choices at the counter and outside seating.
Miscellaneous
Lulu’s owner (restaurant on South 7th) has confirmed that the new restaurant, Lagniappe’s near Harris Teeter will be opening in late January and will continue to serve its fine menu including some new items. I also noticed a sign I hadn’t seen before announcing brunch on Sunday from 10:30 to 3 p.m.
Wicked Bao’s in the old Wicked Davy’s spot near the Port on North 2nd Street is another new restaurant “opening soon” according to the sign in their window and their Facebook website. It appears that this menu will be Asian food, small plates, noodle bowls, etc.
Pogo’s Kitchen is located on the south end of the island in the old Gourmet, Gourmet location and the firehouse on First Coast Highway near American Beach.It is currently undergoing renovation and should be open sometime in late January. With a variety of Southern food from Charleston to the Delta (LA), this restaurant will be attempting to up the profile of local offerings on our island and promises to be a new experience.
Lulu’s Restaurant owner has confirmed that the new restaurant Lagniappe’s near Harris Teeter will also be opening on the island and will continue Lulu’s fine food as well as other offerings.
So, keep on the lookout for more good food coming our way.