Popular brewery among 2 dozen restaurants to close this year on the Space Coast
Since 1996, Charlie & Jake's Brewery and Grille was a Suntree mainstay. A microbrewery before microbreweries became popular, it was a lunch spot and gathering place for Central Brevard for more than more than 25 years.
The brewery, at 6300 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, was one of the restaurant casualties of the past year. An announcement on Facebook made in August 2022 said the restaurant and brewery would be closed for renovations for three to four months. It never reopened. Colette Wood with CBRE, a commercial real estate company, confirmed by email that a new tenant has leased the space.
Colin Jones, an owner of Charlie & Jakes Barbecue in Indian Harbour Beach, which is not affiliated with the brewery, said he and his partners have leased the space and will share more on their plans in the coming months. Jones and his partners also own Bunky's Raw Bar & Grill in Indialantic and Masa Taqueria y Cantina in Indian Harbour Beach.
Charlie & Jake's Brewery was among at least two dozen Space Coast restaurants that closed in 2023. Others include:
The Angry Jester, 916 Florida Ave., Cocoa Village. The Irish sports pub opened Oct. 11, 2022, in a space previously occupied by El Charro. It closed March 12. Oyster Shooters Raw Bar and Grill, a restaurant owned by Thomas and Jenn Bird of Twisted Birch Sports Bar & Grill in Rockledge, is expected to open by the end of the year in that space.
More about Oyster Shooters: Twisted Birch in Rockledge isn't closing; owner plans seafood restaurant in Cocoa
Bennigan's, 3955 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne. The chain restaurant closed at the beginning of the year. Agave D'oro Mexican Bar and Grill has since opened in that space.
Big Shot Bob's House of Wings, 1270 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. The wing restaurant announced March 30 that it would be closing "until we relocate." The new location at Apollo Crossings Plaza on Sarno Road in Melbourne is opening soon. Big Shot Bob's also has a location at 111 E. Central Ave., Cape Canaveral.
Bonefish Willy's Riverfront Grille, 2459 Pineapple Ave., Melbourne. The riverfront restaurant just north of the Eau Gallie Arts District closed at the first of the year after more than 25 years. A new restaurant, the Brevardian Riverfront, a project by Cypress Table owner Patricia Rieger and her business partner Corey Russ, is expected to open by the end of the year.
More about the Brevardian: Cypress Table owner to open waterfront restaurant at former Bonefish Willy's this fall
Doghouse Pizza, 3760 Curtis Blvd., Port St. John. The restaurant closed on June 30. The Doghouse Pizza at 4451 Enterprise Court, Suite K, Melbourne, remains open.
Joan's Perfect Pie, 1431 Highland Ave., Melbourne's Eau Gallie Arts District. The bakery and pie shop closed at the first of the year.
Little Dos Mexican Cantina, 1246 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach. The longtime Mexican restaurant closed the last week in September.
Maggie's Ice Cream Shop, 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suntree. The ice cream shop announced May 15 on Facebook that it would be closing "due to managerial staffing issues."
Maui Girl Cafe, 6710 N. Atlantic Ave., Cape Canaveral. The owner of the island-inspired cafe announced its closure Sept. 4 on Facebook with this post: "Aloha and good evening, Yes it’s true, And thank you, Oh so very much, Mahalo Nui Loa."
Melbourne Biergarten, 924 E. New Haven Ave., downtown Melbourne. A post on Facebook said the establishment would close Jan. 21. Osuki, an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, has since opened in that space.
Merri Cakes, 251 McLeod St., Merritt Island. The cupcake shop closed its doors in late October after 12 years.
Meshi Ya, 2150 Harris Ave. NE, Palm Bay. The Japanese restaurant, known for its ramen and bubble tea, announced on Facebook that it would close May 29.
More restaurant news: More than 25 new restaurants have opened on the Space Coast since this spring
Molly's Seafood Shack, 1590 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island. The seafood restaurant closed at the beginning of the year.
Mother Pucker's Cafe, 125 S. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island. The colorful cafe closed in May after two years. Another Mother Puckers, which opened last year at 5995 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, also closed earlier this year.
Nau Nau Asian Cuisine, 1400 N. State Road A1A, Indialantic. The Vietnamese restaurant closed in August.
Old Florida Grill & Oyster Bar, 5370 N. U.S. 1, Port St. John. The riverfront bar and restaurant closed at the beginning of the year. A new restaurant, Indian River Bar & Grill, opened May 17.
Senor Loco's, 630 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach. The restaurant closed in June. Cazadores Mexican Restaurant has since opened in that space.
Tea World Cafe & Tea Room, 3550 S. Washington Ave., Titusville. The tea room closed in late February.
Thai Fuji, 3824 Murrell Road, Rockledge. The restaurant closed on June 9. Thai 4 You Thai Restaurant opened in that space on Oct. 9.
Thai Thai Sushi Bar, 6365 N. Wickham Road, Unit 170, Melbourne. The restaurant closed earlier this year and has been replaced by Asian Time Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar.
TJ's for Breakfast, 1256 U.S. 1, Rockledge. The longtime lunch and breakfast spot changed its name to Marmalade's Restaurant in July.
Twisted Fin, 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suite 117, Suntree. The fast-casual restaurant closed in late May.
Waffle House, 4465 King St. (State Road 520), Cocoa. The restaurant closed in September.
Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Here's a list of Brevard restaurants that have closed in 2023
