The rebirth of the iconic Doubles Beachside restaurant at 1612 State Road A1A in Satellite Beach not only provides old favorites for longtime fans, but its young staff has started on a new legacy for the future.
A soft opening in late November quickly became nearly overrun with customers, split between older fans from the South Patrick Drive location and new faces of all ages checking out a new eatery option with a local twist now including a drive-through, outdoor seating and a “green” design including solar power meant to reduce energy consumption, water usage and food waste.
Architectural details reflect both old and new, with the exterior reminiscent of the old location but with the interior light-filled and spacious with a modern “beachy” décor.
General Manager Katie (Ackerman) Mullvehill anticipated a crush of interest like every new restaurant has, but nothing like the sustained lines that have put the young new staff to the test.
“It’s been really crazy. We knew we would start out busy but I’m definitely surprised. I didn’t think it would sustain so long,’’ she said.
Like a proud coach after a tough stretch of games, Mullvehill smiles at how her ‘team’ is coming together under fire, a feeling she remembers from the old days.
The new location will operate with less staff than the old location but that means each worker will have more hours and can earn more, she said.
“They’ve had to learn fast and they’ve done really well. We have a lot of legacy kids of parents who used to work with me when I started,’’ Mullvehill said.
Doubles Beachside was established as a small sub shop in 1983 by Ray Featherhoff at 1897 South Patrick Dr. in Indian Harbour Beach. In 2006, with a growing menu and use as a community gathering spot, the restaurant moved across the street to 1896 South Patrick Dr.
The restaurant ended a combined 35-year run there on June 28 when Zon Beachside Assisted Living and Memory Care, located next door, purchased Doubles Beachside to use its lot for a two-story, nearly 30,000-square-foot expansion.
Doubles’ new home is located about two miles away at the intersection of SR A1A at Desoto Parkway on property that originally was the Pegleg’s Seafood Restaurant and the Corinthian.
The lot was purchased in 2006 by the Satellite Beach Community Redevelopment Agency to develop what they now consider the best plan for the property.
