Developers are seeking a redevelopment ordinance to open a new restaurant with rooftop seating where Ragtime stood for 40 years.

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — From rags to renovations.

Developers plan to open a new restaurant at the old Ragtime building in Beaches Town Center.

The changes could be pretty dramatic – they won’t blow the roof off of it, but they might just put something on top of it.

“My husband bought the house because of Ragtime two blocks from here,” said Elana Gauslow while walking around Beaches Town Center.

Ragtime was just starting out its run in Beaches Town Center when Gauslow moved in two blocks away in 1986.

“Watching it grow, get better, the live bands, great bartenders,” said Gauslow. “The atmosphere was just a lot of fun.”

It was a regular spot for her for nearly four decades until its last ‘last call’ in January 2025.

She may not have another meal at Ragtime, but soon she may be able to go back in the building for a new restaurant.

“Raften & Fleck,” said Amanda Askew with the Atlantic Beach city staff when asked for the name of the restaurant at a meeting Monday.

“Thank you, you heard it here,” said Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford.

First Coast News has not been able to confirm the spelling of the new restaurant.

Atlantic Beach commissioners looked at plans for a new restaurant at the building that would feature rooftop dining a block away from the ocean.

“Absolutely love hearing it’s going to be a rooftop overlooking the beautiful scenery,” said Rebekah Overly while visiting Beaches Town Center.

“The second floor, you capitalize on the beach,” said Gauslow.

The interim city manager of Atlantic Beach explained city code would require a certain amount of landscaping to go along with the renovation.

There’s only one problem – where to put the landscaping in Beaches Town Center.

“It would be in excess of 10 parking space that would be lost if they came in to compliance,” said Askew.

The developer and Atlantic Beach city staff came up with an alternative to avoid parking nightmares – give the city the landscaping cost, about $160,000, in lieu of the landscaping to be spent on Beaches Town Center improvements.

“It’s kind of a trust fund for that area,” said an Atlantic Beach city commissioner.

There wasn’t a timeline for development, but a Askew said they’re ready to start construction relatively soon.

“We’re ready for something to come in,” said Gauslow. “This neighborhood just keeps getting better and better.”

Atlantic Beach city leaders will have a final vote on the landscaping ordinance next month.