Jacksonville Beach shop known for its decadent mini donuts will close, owners say

The Mini Bar is downsizing – again.

Three months after closing its Fleming Island location, the donut shop known for its made-to-order mini donuts is closing its Jacksonville Beach location where it debuted the concept five years ago.

Owners Brooke and Chase Sams announced Thursday in a Facebook post that Sunday will be the restaurant’s final day of service at 1300 Beach Blvd.

“Our Jax Beach shop lease is up at the end of the month, and we have elected not to renew it,” the pair wrote. “We took over a space that many overlooked, and inherited its quirks. We pinched pennies and everything we had to get open, including selling our house, vehicle, and Chase managing the buildout. But knowing now what our true needs are, the space is too big (over 1,000 SF bigger than our Gate Parkway location), and the layout is no longer conducive to our needs. Compounding that with a location that isn’t ideal, and an impending 10% rent increase, as difficult of a decision as it was, it is clear to us that it is the right one.”

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The Mini Bar’s Gate Parkway-area store, located at 10618 Deerwood Park Blvd., will remain open, they wrote.

Before Thursday’s announcement, the Sams said they had searched for a new location, but “have yet to find the perfect fit.”

The couple launched their concept in Jacksonville Beach in January 2018, offering guests mini donuts in 18 varieties, ranging from Maple Bacon to Lemon Poppy to Fruity Pebbles, Cosmic Brownie, Espresso Buttercream and more.

“Our Jax Beach location is where it all began. It’s where we leaped, succeeded, failed, laughed, cried, and learned more than we ever imagined. It’s where our kids grew up. It’s where we’ve made lifelong friends. It’s where we’ve seen the community come together over donuts and coffee, and maybe a beer or two,” they wrote in the Facebook post.  

“Jax Beach is our home, and we hope to have The Mini Bar here again.“

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Mini Bar donut shop closing in Jacksonville Beach after 5 years