Stonewood restaurant adds outdoor dining, fire pit

Ormond Beach Observer
Business

Stonewood Grill and Tavern, operating since 1999 at 100 S. Atlantic Ave., has recently completed a four-month remodeling project, resulting in more options for guests.

The restaurant has added an outdoor dining patio with a roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. The patio includes space for live entertainment and a seven-foot fire pit. The dining room at the well-known restaurant will remain unchanged.

The restaurant was the first of a chain of 12 restaurants now operating throughout Florida. Gale Lemerand, founder, CEO and president of Stonewood Holdings, said it’s important for restaurants to continue to attract new customers while maintaining the customer base. The management believes customers want an outdoor venue where they can relax or socialize.

“We’re right across the street from the ocean,” said Joe Clayton, regional manager. “You have the ocean breeze.”

“We need more outdoor dining in Ormond Beach”

Bill Navarra, president, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce

Another modern touch is that the bar has been remodeled and is now a gastro pub, offering unique food items and local craft beers.

Lemerand gives credit for the gastro menu to Mike Drury, executive chef

“He’s done a fantastic job,” Lemerand said. “I love the little corn on the cob. I want to add that to the main restaurant menu.”

A joint ribbon cutting with the Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach chambers of commerce Dec. 17 celebrated the completion of the project.

Chamber of Commerce President Bill Navarra said the renovations are “fantastic.”

“We need more outdoor dining in Ormond Beach,” he said.

Lemerand is also part owner of the Houligan’s, Peach Valley Cafe, and has other business interests.

He bought the defunct Julian’s Dining Room and Lounge, located north of Stonewood on State Road A1A, a year ago. He said he almost has all of the permits ready for the former restaurant to be torn down, and the space will be used for parking for the time-being. He said he is still considering different options for the property.