Navarre Beach restaurant, Mango Mary's, is saying goodbye but a new concept is on the horizon

Navarre’s outdoor seafood grill and daquiri bar, Mango Mary’s Beach Kitchen and Daquiris, is ending its chapter at 8491 Navarre Parkway this weekend. But Navarre foodies should not fret, as a new concept is on the horizon, owner Clint Boutwell announced in a social media statement Thursday.

“Mango Mary's was an exciting idea for my staff and I! We started last summer as a sit-down spot with servers and converted to counter service this summer. Well, we sucked at both and failed. I take the blame and the loss,” Boutwell's statement read. “Being a restaurateur is all about risk and reward and this time it was a loss! With 8 concepts / locations and 4 successful Grillehouses, I've learned one thing! We know steak and seafood better than wings, chips and even Italian food! First and foremost, I sincerely appreciate all the great, wonderful, faithful customers that spent their time and money at our beautiful little spot for the last 14 months!”

Mango Mary’s neighboring sister business, Mississippi-based steak and seafood restaurant The Grillehouse, which is also owned by Boutwell, will remain unchanged. The Grillehouse has locations in Oxford, Tupelo and Southaven, Mississippi. Navarre became the fourth location with The Grillehouse name.

The beach bar and grill that was Mango Mary's ran a 14-month long course as a casual counterpart to the steakhouse, serving up casual favorites like a paradise pineapple cheeseburger, blackened shrimp baskets and chicken tenders. Also, the fruity frozen cocktails the restaurant became known for.

But ultimately, Boutwell is planning to rebrand Mango Mary’s into a concept closer to The Grillehouse’s roots.

“We anticipate a menu reflecting oysters, smaller ribeye and filet cuts, amazing appetizers and cool cocktails all offered with a server at your table,” Boutwell told the News Journal in a statement. “We've just got to leave the chicken tenders to the drive through professionals.”

The new concept will offer more upscale outdoor dining options without being a copy and paste version of The Grillehouse. However, it will have the same outdoor view that Mango Mary's fans made the trip for.

“The overwhelming success of The Grillehouse has proven that Navarre demands and is glad to pay for quality food and service on the water. We will put Mango Mary to rest and raise the bar with quality steak, seafood and cocktails while dining al fresco,” Boutwell told the News Journal.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Mango Mary's closes on Navarre Beach with plans for new concept coming