JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – European Street Cafe has been a Riverside staple on Park Street for about 33 years, serving lunch, sweet treats and refreshing drinks to the community.
But the building itself holds a deeper history, dating back to 1941. It was one of the last art deco style buildings constructed in Jacksonville.
Andy Zarka, owner of European Street Cafe, explained the building’s unique look and origins. It began as a service station in the 1940s before evolving into other businesses.
His family purchased the building in 1992 and transformed it into the cafe it is today.
“When my dad first took over the building, he had a flair for the dramatic and wanted to honor the art deco nature of the building,” Zarka said. “He thought it would be fun to just make it really stand out.”
The cafe incorporates the building’s history into its current identity. The iconic dome is featured in artwork and on t-shirts.
Zarka noted the neighborhood has grown more pedestrian friendly and diverse since the early 1990s. But his favorite memories are more personal.
“It would be working behind the counter with my dad, who’s no longer with us. Those were some very special memories,” he said.
Looking ahead, Zarka hopes customers continue to create fond memories at the cafe.
“People have gotten engaged on this patio, so I think it’s a special place to a lot of people,” he said. “We hope to continue that for many, many years to come.”
European Street Cafe’s has additional locations in San Marco and Jacksonville Beach.
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