JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – After four years, The Bearded Pig in Jacksonville Beach is closing its doors, holding its final day of service on Sunday.
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The restaurant posted the closure announcement about two weeks ago, citing high construction costs and staffing shortages that “made it difficult for the business to ever have financial success.”
On Sunday, General Manager Robbie Smith said the decision to finally close Bearded Pig’s doors was “very sad.”
“We’re very thankful for everything that the beach has done for us, welcoming us into the community,” Smith said. “It’s just tough times with everything that’s been going on.”
Smith adds that the restaurant’s San Marco location is “thriving,” and plenty of staff from the Jacksonville Beach location will be moving over there.
“We’re going to keep producing great barbecue for the city of Jacksonville and everybody in the community, so if they wanna come visit us, we still have a great product in San Marco,” he said.
Comments under the social post announcing the restaurant’s closure were filled with people expressing sadness.
“Nooooooo, the only restaurant close to home that has the best gluten-free options!” one comment read.
“Breaks my heart. Just moved to JAX Beach and have become a regular,” another one read.
Smith said that type of support from the community means everything.
“There’s not a lot of barbecue places in Jacksonville,” he explained. “[But] to have a staple place in Jacksonville, barbecue’s hard to do, not everyone wants to do it, we were fortunate that we could provide a great product for everybody within the city on a day-to-day basis.”
He also had a final message to all of the Bearded Pig’s supporters.
“Thank you for all your support. We appreciate everything for the four years, our staff is grateful as well. Just continue to support local businesses and the Bearded Pig as a company itself in San Marco.”
