After years of delays and planning, a brand new restaurant called Maritime 618 is getting ready to make its Jacksonville debut at 618 W Adams St.
The new restaurant will move into the former home of Historic Fire Station #4, which originally opened in 1914. Now Yawn Properties LLC, owned by luxury yacht captain Sandy Yawn of Bravo’s “Below Deck Mediterranean” and her partner, Chad Quist, have received permits to demolish the 109-year-old structure, according to the Business Journal. The two will build a three-story nautical-themed restaurant that will feature exclusive yacht-style cuisine and presentations of intercontinental seafood and cultural fares, according to the company’s website.
“I fell in love with Jacksonville,” Yawn says on the website. “I saw the awesome potential of this beautiful Downtown hub, its world-class waterways, and of course, an exclusive dining and entertainment experience. I wanted to be a part of it. The people here are welcoming and gracious, and I want to meet every one of them. What better way than to open ‘Maritime 618’?”
While there is no exact opening date, this concept has been in the works since 2020, when the two business partners purchased the building for $185,000. When Maritime 618 opens, customers can expect a diversified dining experience prepared by internationally known guest chefs. The restaurant will also offer an expanded teaching kitchen designed by noted restaurateur Beverly Grant and will be utilized to certify qualified culinary students interested in entering the maritime industry.
“Jacksonville continues to grow and attract new business and exciting entrepreneurs like Captain Sandy and Chad Quist,” Mayor Lenny Curry says of the upcoming restaurant. “We are grateful they chose to open “Maritime 618″ in our City, and we wish them much success. We also look forward to working with Captain Sandy on future projects to enhance development and economic growth in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville”
