A new Italian restaurant is now serving diners in the former Reddi-Arts building on Jacksonville’s Southbank, marking the first business to open inside the historic San Marco complex since the longtime arts supply store closed its doors.
Tavola Trattoria at 1037 Hendricks Ave. is owned by Carl and Lindie Garrett of Table Mesa Restaurant Group, based in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The Garretts already run a Tavola Trattoria location in Bentonville, along with several other restaurants including Table Mesa Bistro, Bella’s Table, Mirabella’s Ristorante and Table of Joy. The Jacksonville location was designed to closely resemble the Arkansas restaurant, featuring a large menu and a full bar.
A Menu Built Around Local Flavor
The restaurant has been described by Downtown Investment Authority staff as an upscale yet approachable Italian eatery that blends classic cuisine with modern presentation and Florida ingredients.
Diners can expect brunch, lunch and dinner service, with the restaurant open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The menu leans into trattoria-style cooking, offering homestyle Italian dishes in a more relaxed, family-friendly setting rather than a strictly formal dining room.
The Garretts received a $135,000 grant through the Downtown Investment Authority’s Core Retail Enhancement Program to help fund the buildout.
The renovation of the 4,500 square foot space carried an estimated price tag of around $600,000, transforming the former retail building into a full-service restaurant with an open kitchen, a large display pizza oven and a cocktail bar area.
A Landmark Building’s New Chapter
The Hendricks Avenue property was home to Reddi-Arts for decades before the arts and crafts retailer relocated to Springfield in 2021 under new ownership. The building sat vacant for several years before being purchased and divided into four separate retail spaces.
Tavola Trattoria is the first tenant to open inside the redeveloped complex, with additional businesses expected to follow, including The Huguenot, a planned wine, cheese and charcuterie bar from restaurateur Chad Munsey.
Early visitors have already shared praise for the new spot on social media, with several diners calling their first experience at Tavola Trattoria excellent and noting that the menu offers far more than just pizza.
The restaurant is expected to draw a mix of Downtown residents, hotel guests, young professionals and weekend diners looking for an upscale but casual Italian meal on the Southbank.
With its central location near San Marco Square, Tavola Trattoria adds another dining option to a neighborhood already known for its restaurant scene, while helping bring new life to one of the area’s most recognizable former retail buildings.
