The Jacksonville Planning Commission approved a zoning exception Thursday to allow Jazzy’s Restaurant and Lounge at 901 King St. to serve alcohol and have sidewalk seating on King Street.
Local chef Celestia Mobley opened the restaurant in March, according to WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record. The space formerly was Hamburger Mary’s Pub House and most recently The Blind Rabbit.
The exception was approved with conditions similar to the previous restaurants, limiting the number of seats, hours of operation, the location of outdoor seating and not allowing outside music.
The restaurant was permitted by right in commercial/community general-1 zoning to serve beer and wine with a restaurant.
Jazzy’s features soul food, seafood and jazz music, including live performances. Her motto, written across the wall, is “Music is life. That's why our hearts have beats.”
The restaurant offers a full-service lunch and dinner menu as well as a separate takeout entrance.
Mobley started her career as executive chef at The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro, where she worked for almost 20 years, and then opened her own restaurant, Celestia’s Coastal Cuisine, at 6765 Dunn Ave.
