Terry's Country Store

Richard “Terry” Smith opened his first Terry's Country Store in Mayport in 1975, followed by a second location on Penman Road in Jacksonville Beach. Both stores became small but mighty grocery staples in areas of the Beaches without convenient access to larger grocery chains, offering meats, produce, ice and the best beer and keg prices beachside. My grandparents lived within biking distance to Terry’s Country Store on Penman and quick trips with my grandma for meats, fresh produce and lottery tickets were a frequent occurrence.

Sadly, Mr. Smith passed away in January of last year. His family continued to operate both stores for a short time until they made the decision to close them: Penman Road first and then Mayport, and to list them for sale. In 2023 the two landmark locations were purchased by fellow Beaches residents and business owners, but the legacy these neighborhood markets and the owner leaves behind will not soon be forgotten.

The new owners of Terry’s Country Store on Penman Road also own Strings Sports Brewery on Main Street in the Springfield neighborhood and they are excited about opening a second location of the restaurant and brewery at the Beaches. Owners Scott Adeeb and his sons Colby and Trever have plans to bring both the restaurant and brewery to life in a space that has been a nostalgic part of their lives as residents of the Beaches. “We live at the Beaches, and we were looking for a second location at the Beaches for some time. When Terry’s on Penman Road went up for sale, we knew this was the perfect spot – a historic building with a special legacy,” says Scott. “We look forward to blending our concept and design with the existing space in a way that honors the building and the memories within.”

With the closing of Terry’s Country Store in Mayport, the area might be considered a food desert. But new owners Daniel Ballesteros and Grace Forgette, who also own sandwich shop Sub Cultured, along with their partner Brian Lignelli, know how important both the market’s legacy and food access are to the community on the north end of the Beaches and they promise the new concept will be something special and familiar.

“We’ve always purchased our tomatoes from Terry’s, in addition to other items. It’s been a staple of our business since the beginning,” says Grace. “We haven't finalized our plans for [what they are calling on Instagram] Terry’s on Mayport, but our goal is to create a space defined by its food and drink, a gathering place of community and comfort.”