Top Jacksonville chef launching pizzeria concept at former San Marco Theatre
An acclaimed Jacksonville chef is launching a fast-casual homemade pizza-centric restaurant in the historic former San Marco Theatre building on San Marco Square.
Electric Dough Pizza Co., at 1996 San Marco Blvd., will focus on Chef Tom Gray's signature fresh-from-scratch rectangular pizzas featuring a Roman-style dough with Detroit-style crispy, cheesy edges.
The targeted opening date is by the fourth quarter this year, according to a news release Monday announcing the concept.
Named for the Italian-imported electric oven used to bake the pizzas, Electric Dough Pizza Co. is the latest concept from Gray and his wife and business partner, Sarah Marie Johnston. The couple are the founders and owners of Prati Italia, 4972 Big Island Drive at the Markets at Town Center, and Town Hall, 2012 San Marco Blvd. which neighbors the theatre.
Gray's artisan pizza tops the menu at Prati Italia and is popular at local groceries such as Native Sun in Jacksonville Beach.
Family memories, commitment to community
A Jacksonville native, Gray is a two-time James Beard Award nominee, and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He's worked his way up in kitchens from coast to coast.
The San Marco Theatre holds special memories for Gray and Johnston, who live in San Marco with their family.
Gray noted they enjoyed "countless date nights" at the theater. And their son celebrated several birthdays there with his friends by watching movies, including "Star Wars," on the big screen.
Ensuring the building remains accessible to the community is important, he said.
“This location has been a neighborhood cornerstone visually and historically for nearly 90 years. I am thrilled to be able to make it come alive once again to welcome locals and visitors alike,” Gray said in the news release.
“San Marco is my home, and we are inspired by the opportunity to preserve the soul of the building and breathe new life into the interior with stylistic touches that mesh our concept with the beauty and presence of the theatre,” he said.
On the menu at Electric Dough
The menu, he said, will focus on "high quality, better for you ingredients" intended to leave guests satisfied but not stuffed.
“The pandemic helped us realize that this pizza is so unique it can stand on its own as a new concept," Gray said. "Locating Electric Dough Pizza Co. in San Marco is ideal because this concept is 100 percent focused on being an inviting, lively and family-oriented addition to the neighborhood."
The restaurant also will feature seasonally-inspired fresh salads. There also will be a rotating selection of gelato and sorbets featuring flavors such as Salted Caramel, Italian Espresso and Limoncello.
In addition, there will be a full bar with domestic and imported beer and wine as well as craft sodas and zero-proof offerings.
The restaurant will include a retail area stocked with Gray's take-and-bake frozen pizzas, fresh pasta, scratch-made sauces, housemade pimento cheese and more.
Restaurant lease transition
Local restaurateur Al Mansur initially planned to open Iguana San Marco — the third in his popular Latin American and Mexican fusion cuisine concept — in the 86-year-old, two-story, Art Deco-style theatre.
The transition of the theatre lease held originally by Mansur, who also founded Al's Pizza, recently was finalized, clearing the way for Electric Dough Pizza Co., according to the news release.
Mansur couldn't be reached for comment.
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Designed by architect Roy Benjamin, the San Marco Theatre was built in 1938. It closed on Jan. 1, 2023.
Building owner TSG Realty has started interior and infrastructure renovations with a commitment to maintaining the historic facade. Custom interior design planning for Electric Dough Pizza Co. is underway, according to the news release.
Alterations and repairs to accommodate a restaurant were estimated at $160,000, according to a March 7 city building permit. The permit lists the restaurant space at 4,939 square feet.
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: Electric Dough Pizza set to open at Jacksonville's San Marco Theatre
