One of Jacksonville’s oldest restaurants is closing after 43 years in business.The Yum Yum Tree at 6225 St. Augustine Road has announced on Facebook that its final day of business will be November 25.
Hundreds expressed their disappointment on the Yum Yum Tree’s Facebook page.
“I’m, literally, crying right now. I can’t even believe this could be true. My family and I have been regulars at Yum Yum my whole life,” Nicole Danielle wrote, while Kelli Reeves said the Yum Yum Tree had the “best coconut pie in the land.”
The first Yum Yum Tree opened in 1977 in Avondale. It serves deli sandwiches, salads, quiches and desserts during lunchtime hours.
As has been the case for so many businesses, COVID-19 has taken its toll, forcing the restaurant to go to a take-out model before state restrictions were gradually lifted to allow for partial capacity and then full capacity indoors.
“We, along with many other small businesses, are struggling to stay afloat. We need your patronage now more than ever,” the Yum Yum Tree’s Kurt Polkey and Stacie Dern wrote on the restaurant’s website before the decision to call it quits was made.
The owners are planning an open house on November 28 for customers who want to purchase memorabilia or restaurant items such as tables and chairs.
As for those famous coconut pies, if you want one, act fast. The owners said: “Please call ahead as food supplies are kept limited due to business. Please order your coconut pies early so we can plan accordingly.”
The Yum Yum Tree can be contacted at this Facebook page or at 904-731-0957.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
