Buzz
News from the hive.
February 6, 2008
Donovan’s Irish Pub Set To Open At Plaza Palencia In St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida — A new Irish pub is scheduled to open in April in the new Plaza Palencia shopping center, located at the entrance to the master-planned community, Palencia.
Nestled among 2,325 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway off U.S. 1 between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Palencia is designed for 2,350 residences featuring a variety of housing options by lifestyle and price from the $200s to more than $4 million—including new innovative live/work units, cottages, unique tennis villas, condominiums, single-family and pristine estate lots.
Donovan’s Irish Pub is 3,600 square feet and will seat around 150 patrons. The family friendly restaurant and pub is named after owner Maureen Bellantoni’s great grandmother, Teresa Donovan, who will be honored throughout the establishment with photographs and stories.
“My father is the oldest of five boys and I’m the oldest of 25 grandchildren so I was kind of her first granddaughter and we were really close,” Bellantoni said. “My grandmother passed away when I was 13 and I want to continue her memory.”
Bellantoni had a very Irish upbringing. Her grandfather hails from Cork and came to the United States in 1888.
Opening her own restaurant was something she has dreamed about for years and St. Augustine was the perfect location according to the former Miami resident.
“We don’t like the crowds and the hustle and bustle of South Florida,” she said. “We had the opportunity to be in a location where the climate is wonderful and it can be quiet in the immediate surroundings and is only a short drive to Jacksonville or downtown St. Augustine.”
Bellantoni and her husband will have a short drive to the restaurant everyday where they plan to work alongside approximately 15 employees. They are also Palencia residents. The couple has a home in the Reserve at Palencia.
“When we decided we wanted to build our retirement home, we looked around the entire state and this is where we settled. It’s perfect,” she said.
Bellantoni, who is a former CFO for a public company, said the Irish pub would specialize in shepherd’s Pie, Irish Strew and several other hearty non-Irish dishes. The bar will feature Irish ales and lagers.
Donovan’s will be open daily for lunch and dinner.
To visit Palencia take U.S. Highway 1 south to Palencia Village Drive, located east of International Golf Parkway in St. Johns County. The Information Center is located approximately one mile inside the entrance.
For more information about Palencia, call (904) 810-0500, or visit Palencia online at www.VivaPalencia.com. The Sales and Information Center, as well as model homes, are open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information on Donovan’s Irish Pub, call (904) 829-0000 or visit www.Donovans-IrishPub.com.
