Press Release
WILDLIGHT, Fla. (March 3, 2021) – Three new restaurant and retail concepts are set to open in Skinner Bros. Realty‘s multi-tenant retail complex in Wildlight this spring. The three new tenants join a cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at Wildlight’s Village Center.
“We are excited to continue the momentum at Wildlight by welcoming three well-known establishments to this growing community’s Village Center,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “The goal of our commercial projects has always been to strengthen Wildlight’s appeal by providing a place for residents and community members to gather together.”
First, Firehouse Subs, founded locally in Jacksonville, Florida, more than 25 years ago, is in the final build-out stages of opening its new restaurant at Wildlight. The corporate-owned location will occupy 2,100 sq. ft. of space in Skinner Bros. Realty’s second retail building and is tentatively set to open March 2021. Consistently ranked one of America’s Favorite Sandwich Chains, Firehouse Subs serves premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, served “Fully Involved ®” with fresh produce and condiments.
“We are looking forward to opening up our doors to the up-and-coming Wildlight community and welcoming new and returning guests in Wildlight,” said Kristen Akel, Firehouse Subs Director of Real Estate Services. “The restaurant will feature the brand’s Restaurant of the Future design with enhancements made to provide a better Firehouse Subs experience for guests and employees, such as a new back-of-the-house design, a large outdoor seating area covered with ceiling fans in addition to elements and decor that prominently display how our brand gives back to the community.”
Next, The Decantery, a Historic Fernandina Beach favorite, will be opening a second location in the former AT&T building at Wildlight through a multi-phase approach beginning April 2021. During the initial phase, The Decantery will be opening a package retail store that will allow guests an opportunity to purchase packaged products from our large selection of premium wine and spirits. The second phase, estimated to open in September 2021, will incorporate the Decantery’s premier wine, craft beer, and cocktail lounge.
“Through an inviting and comfortable ambiance, the Decantery offers guests a unique imbibing experience to enjoy a specialty handcrafted cocktail, wine by the glass from our state-of-the-art wine machine, or a bottle of wine to share from our exceptional and unique wine selection, along with our signature homemade desserts and accoutrements,” Wes Sheffield President/CEO Amelia Island Hospitality Group. “With the success of our first location in Fernandina Beach, we knew we wanted to expand this concept in Northeast Florida. We are thrilled to bring a second Decantery to Wildlight residents and the greater community.”
Finally, family-owned restaurant Añejo Cocina Mexicana will bring fresh, from-scratch dishes and an upbeat atmosphere to the area, expanding from its current Ponte Vedra Beach location and new planned location in the Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown Jacksonville. Anejo Cocina Mexicana will occupy 3,700 sq. ft. with an open-air, outdoor bar and covered patio and is set to open in May.
Skinner Bros. Realty began construction on the commercial complex located at 40 Homegrown Way in early 2020 and finished development in September 2020. The new mixed-use building is an extension of The Village Center’s first multi-tenant complex that opened early 2019, adding 11,670 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space. These new establishments join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clip’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries.
“We are very pleased to continue working with Skinner Bros. Realty on the expansion of Wildlight’s Village Center,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “Skinner Bros. Realty’s vast experience and success in developing and managing retail projects of this kind have helped shape the Wildlight experience for our residents and the community at large. We look forward to welcoming all residents and visitors to these new establishments this spring.”
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About Skinner Bros. Realty
Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
About Wildlight
Wildlight is a new community inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where Southern hospitality meets play-inspired living and the natural world is a natural part of life. Approximately half of this thoughtfully connected 2,900-acre community is devoted to green space, including parks and nature trails. The other half of the community features a mix of Lowcountry-style homes, townhomes and rental apartments as well as businesses, shops and restaurants, connected by walkable pathways to promote a healthy lifestyle. Wildlight is conveniently located 20 miles north of Jacksonville and just east of Interstate-95 on A1A with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being developed by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information please visit Wildlight.com.
About Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs® is a restaurant chain with a passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety. Founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 by brothers and former firefighters Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, Firehouse Subs is a brand built on decades of fire and police service, hot and hearty subs piled high with the highest quality meats and cheeses and its commitment to saving lives through the establishment of the non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®. The founders are the real deal, the food is their creation and the brand is a family of franchise operators who share their same passion for generously serving food and community. For the third consecutive year, based on recent Technomic Insight consumer data, Firehouse Subs was named the No.1 brand in the restaurant industry that “Supports Local Community Activities.” This year, Firehouse of America and Firehouse Subs suppliers will together donate a portion of purchases at Firehouse Subs locations to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for the purchase of lifesaving equipment, with a minimum donation of $1 million. Enjoy more subs. Save more lives. To learn more, visit http://www.firehousesubs.com.
About The Decantery
The Decantery, located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach is the island’s premier wine, craft beer and cocktail lounge. In addition to an exceptional, rare and unique wine selection, The Decantery offers delectable homemade desserts and accoutrements. Our state of the art wine dispensing machines paired with an inviting and comfortable ambiance gives guests a unique imbibing experience. All wines can be enjoyed in our lounge or are available for package or purchase.
About Añejo Cocina Mexicana
Our main goal at Añejo Cocina Mexicana is to provide customers with the best Añejo dining experience. This is possible with the help of our highly trained staff and friendly atmosphere. We want all our customers to leave our restaurant with a big smile, knowing that Añejo will be waiting to provide them with the best time.