![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260709_Sandollar2_t850.JPG\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\nHarry Mangini again owns the Sandollar Restaurant.<\/p>\n
Mangini and former General Manager Ryan McGee bought the business and took over as proprietors July 8. Mangini closed the restaurant July 6 and 7 to install a new kitchen floor, and to clean and refresh the restaurant\u2019s exterior.<\/p>\n
Mangini declined to reveal the cost of acquiring the business or of planned renovations. Property records show Ash-Leah Enterprises Inc. owns the property, which Mangini said carries an asking price of more than $3 million. He said he isn\u2019t prepared to invest in purchasing the property at this time.<\/p>\n
The restaurant at 9716 Heckscher Drive, next to the St. Johns River Ferry, opened in 1954 as a fish camp. The current structure was built in 1989. It has twice been damaged by fire.<\/p>\n
Mangini had been working at the restaurant when it became available in 1999, and he owned it until 2010, when a stroke forced him to sell. He returned in 2020 as chef and general manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m from New Jersey, and I\u2019ve always wanted a waterfront restaurant,\u201d he said during a June 8 interview.\u201cUp there, you have to be a multibillionaire to do that. When the opportunity came along, I jumped on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Sandollar Restaurant at 9716 Heckscher Drive, next to the St. Johns River Ferry, opened in 1954 as a fish camp.<\/p>\n
Photo by Dan Macdonald<\/p>\n
The interior seats 179, and a deck that overlooks the St. Johns River has seating for 150. It is a place where regulars drop by, have a beer or a late lunch or just gather to share gossip. During the interview, one came over to ask if Mangini was going to bring back the buffet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s on the list,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Sandollar Restaurant primarily serves seafood along with a couple of steak options and chicken as an entree and in some pasta and salad dishes.<\/p>\n
Fish is served grilled, blackened or fried. Entrees feature grouper, tuna, salmon, shrimp, flounder and mahi from $21 to $26. Combination platters include fried shrimp, scallops, clam strips, local fish, deviled crab and hush puppies with a choice of sides.<\/p>\n
A single platter is $37 and a platter for two is $70.<\/p>\n
Mangini prepares a rotation of specials depending on the season and ingredient availability, including a Thursday all-you-can-eat crab leg special priced at $14 for the first pound and $8 for each additional pound.<\/p>\n
The restaurant has 50 employees and a full bar. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n
Further renovations will continue over the coming months, Mangini said.<\/p>\n
He is also trying to find a solution for another problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seagulls. They\u2019ll swoop down and take the hamburger right out of your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
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