After nearly nine years of sitting quietly, the lot that once housed Matanzas Innlet on A1A looks like it might finally be waking up. New filings show the Galasso family has started early paperwork to bring back the waterfront restaurant that locals once flocked to for seafood, sunsets, and live music. Neighbors and longtime visitors who remember the sprawling deck and gazebo are keeping an eye on the stretch just south of Crescent Beach for any hint of construction equipment rolling in.
According to What Now, a representative for the restaurant confirmed that a comeback is in the works, even though family member Jed Galasso was not immediately available to elaborate. The outlet reports that Matanzas Innlet was operated for decades by Joan and Jerry Galasso and closed after Hurricane Matthew damaged the building in 2017. What Now also directs readers to the restaurant’s Facebook page, where updates have appeared only occasionally in recent years.
Business coverage by the Jax Daily Record notes that a pre-application was filed with St. Johns County in mid-September 2025 to kick off the permitting process. County records list Jerry Galasso as the property owner and his son Jed as the applicant. That report explains the filing asks to reconstruct the restaurant but does not yet include square footage, design drawings or a named contractor. When contacted by the Jax Daily Record, Jed indicated he preferred not to comment until the permits move further along.
Where the Comeback Would Land
The property at 8805 A1A S sits just south of the Matanzas Inlet bridge with direct water views looking toward Fort Matanzas, a prime perch that still shows up in local listings as closed due to storm damage. Visit St. Augustine marks the restaurant as out of operation following Hurricane Matthew, highlighting just how long the parcel has remained empty. If the project moves ahead, the high-visibility spot along A1A would reenter St. Johns County’s waterfront dining mix in a very noticeable way.
What Comes Next
A pre-application is essentially an early feeler that lets property owners sort out which rules apply and what permits they will need before submitting full construction plans. As the Jax Daily Record reports, the current paperwork offers few specifics on how the rebuild might look, so the schedule will depend heavily on design decisions, environmental review and St. Johns County approvals. In practical terms, that means even with clear interest from the family, any visible construction could still be many months out while plans are refined and contractors lined up.
Whether Matanzas Innlet returns as the familiar laid-back waterfront hangout or emerges with a fresh concept is still unknown. For now, the family’s move to enter the county process stands as the strongest sign yet that the long-quiet deck could one day be serving customers again. We will keep an eye on permitting activity and local updates as the proposal works its way through St. Johns County’s review.
