After nearly two decades of serving the Shoppes of Veranda community, Pusser’s Caribbean Bar & Grille is preparing for a major transformation. The restaurant, located at 816 State Road A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach, will reopen under a new name—Craig’s Beach House—once a multi‑month renovation is complete.
New leadership and vision
The rebranding is being led by restaurateur Craig Miller, a veteran of the hospitality industry whose résumé includes executive roles at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Uno Restaurants, and the Brio and Bravo Italian concepts. Miller also served as chairman of the National Restaurant Association. Working alongside Gary Rogalski, president and CEO of Pusser’s Rum Ltd., Miller is overseeing the redesign of the venue.
“Our vision is to create a place where great food, genuine hospitality, and a lively atmosphere come together,” Miller said in a news release announcing the change. “Whether you’re joining us for dinner, meeting friends for cocktails, or cheering on your favorite team, we want Craig’s Beach House to feel like your favorite neighborhood gathering spot.”
What the renovation will bring
According to the owners, the renovation will expand both food and beverage offerings and upgrade the audiovisual equipment to improve the sports‑viewing experience. The upgraded venue is intended to become a prime spot for watching Jacksonville Jaguars games, college football, and other sporting events while enjoying the waterfront setting.
Restaurant officials say they plan to keep Pusser’s open throughout the transition, allowing patrons to continue dining while construction proceeds. They note that “significant investments” have already been made to enhance the bar’s audio‑visual capabilities, a move aimed at attracting both local families and visiting fans.
Heritage of the Pusser’s name
The original Pusser’s brand traces its roots to the British Royal Navy, where a “pusser” (short for purser) was the officer responsible for handing out the daily rum ration to sailors. Since the first Pusser’s Grille opened nearly 20 years ago, the brand has expanded worldwide, offering cocktails made with Pusser’s Rum, which was first launched in 1979 by Charles Tobias.
“Thus, Pusser’s Rum, Pusser’s restaurants, and Pusser’s Landing are separate identities, but they are chapters of a single story: from sea to shore, from bottle to table, from sailor to guest,” the release explained.
Community impact
The new Craig’s Beach House is expected to bolster the local dining scene and provide a modern gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Its location—nestled between a small lake and the Tournament Players Club—offers a scenic backdrop for both casual meals and larger group events.
Local business leaders have expressed optimism that the upgraded venue will draw additional foot traffic to the Shoppes of Veranda area, supporting nearby retailers and contributing to the economic vitality of Ponte Vedra Beach.
Timeline
The renovation is projected to take a few months. While the exact reopening date has not been announced, the owners anticipate that Craig’s Beach House will be ready to welcome guests later this year.
For updates on the progress of the transformation, interested patrons can follow announcements from Craig’s Beach House on its official website and social media channels.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
