- May 4, 2024
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Ormond Beach has got the blues — delivered in the most delicious of ways.
In January, residents James and Rosie Yagielo opened Blues and Brews at the former beachside location of Dimitri's Deck Bar and Grill at 790 S. Atlantic Ave. The couple sought to fill a need they discovered when they moved to Ormond from Key West two years ago: To have a blues bar in town that consistently showcases local and traveling acts.
"The goal is to have [people] come in, eat dinner, see some great blues music and have a nice night," Rosie Yagielo said. "We have a more mature neighborhood here, so the blues is right up their alley."
It's a business plan the couple had in mind for a decade.
The Yagielos purchased the building in August 2022, and after about $200,000 in renovations, they celebrated opening their first restaurant with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 19.
Rosie Yagielo has been in the hospitality industry for 40 years, so when it came to opening her own business, she honed in on all her experiences opening restaurants for others.
And part of that included finding the right chef. The Yagielos found that with Zachary Mims, the former chef at Frappes Italian Grille, which used to be their favorite restaurant. On the restaurant's final night before closing, they spoke to Mims and mentioned they had just bought the building.
Everybody has the blues. You either have the blues, you're singing the blues or you're listening to the blues." — Rosie Yagielo, co-owner of Blues and Brews
Mims knew it well. He used to eat at Dimitri's after catching a few waves. After a short sabbatical, he reached out to the Yagielos and said he wanted to be a part of their vision for Blues and Brews.
"We filled a niche in the town that was itching to be filled," Mims said.
With a wide selection of food — from their "flatbread beach pies" to crab legs and various sandwiches — Mims said he's excited to be working at Blues and Brews.
"This is a music venue on the beach," he said. "It's kind of like a dream come true for some chefs."
Most bands play 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, though the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Yagielos are focusing on catering to the locals — both residents and music acts — with Blues and Brews. One local band called Grindstone Sinners will play once a month at Blues and Brews.
"We play the music through the speakers upstairs when the band is playing," James Yagielo said. "And course, we have sunset and ocean views up there as well."
Rose Yagielo said she's been listening to blues music all of her life. It's her genre.
"It's got the beat," she said. "Everybody has the blues. You either have the blues, you're singing the blues or you're listening to the blues."
