After more than a year of waiting, fans of The Loop Pizza Grill can rejoice—the company’s ultra-popular Avondale location is open again.
The restaurant occupies 3,100 square feet at Sadler Point Marine Center, 4619 Roosevelt Blvd. It provides seating for 96 guests inside.
Loop Co-Founder and President Mike Schneider said the opening marks a happy day for The Loop and its fans.
“We have been flooded with calls, emails and social media messages almost since the day we had to close the doors on our previous Avondale location,” he says. “This restaurant is a beloved part of the neighborhood, and we’re thrilled to be back.”
In addition to a new chapter for the company, the location also marks a new vision for Jacksonville, said Brooks Busey, who owns the marina with his family. The Loop is the first tenant of the multi-use space, which sits on a working waterfront. For many years, the building housed the marine supply business Pier 17 Marine.
Busey said he was inspired by other developments of working waterfronts and envisions the building incorporating restaurants, retail spaces and space for community and nonprofit events.
Terry Schneider, co-founder and creative director of The Loop, couldn’t be happier with the new location.
“The postmodern building has great bones, and the property is located on the Ortega River. Guests can walk to the river and browse, and then get a bite to eat.”
“The Avondale (Ortega/Lake Shore/Venetia) location has been a neighborhood staple, a ‘home away from home’ for a lot of folks as well as our returning family of employees,” she adds.
“The light-filled space features comfortable booths and community tables. It’s great for singles, couples, families and large group dining. New menu items will be offered by February in most locations and will offer more to vegetarians, as well as meat eaters.”
The former Avondale restaurant closed its doors in December 2016, after Loop ownership learned earlier in the year that they would have to move. One of the chain’s hallmark locations, Avondale had been part of the community for three decades.
“We can’t wait to serve our dedicated fans and make our new location a community staple, too,” Mike Schneider says.
