Mulligan’s Beach House in Jensen Beach closed its doors Easter Sunday after 23 years of operation, with owners citing exorbitant rent costs as the primary reason for the sudden closure. The restaurant announced the decision in an April 4 Facebook post, marking the end of more than two decades serving customers in Martin County.
“We made this decision not for business reasons but for cost reasons, and it is time to move on,” the restaurant said in the Facebook post. The owners attempted to find a buyer for six months but were unsuccessful due to the high lease costs that deterred potential purchasers.
“We absolutely cannot afford to pay the rent any longer. We tried to find a buyer for six months, but everyone felt the same way about the enormous rent,” the restaurant stated. Despite the closure, the business maintained its customer base throughout its 23-year run in Jensen Beach.
“Our business is strong - it has been for 23 years - but not strong enough to cover these expenses,” the owners explained. The restaurant struggled with rental payments for the past couple of years, with owners saying they “worked only to pay the exorbitant rent to the landlord.”
The closure reflects broader commercial real estate challenges in the area, according to the restaurant’s owners. “The building is already becoming half empty; it’s obvious other businesses are having the same problem paying West Palm Beach rent prices in Jensen Beach,” the owners said.
Staff members at the Jensen Beach location were offered positions at Mulligan’s other locations in Vero Beach and Sebastian in Indian River County, with most employees accepting the transfer offers. The Vero Beach and Sebastian locations remain unaffected by the Jensen Beach closure and continue normal operations.
The restaurant’s owners expressed gratitude to Ron Rose from the Chamber of Commerce, neighboring businesses, and staff members for their support over the years. The closure represents a significant loss for the Jensen Beach dining scene, where Mulligan’s had established itself as a fixture since opening.
“I may find another location in Martin County, or I may drive into the sunset and enjoy the rest of my life,” the owners said, leaving open the possibility of future restaurant ventures. The final service at the Jensen Beach location concluded Easter Sunday, ending the restaurant’s 23-year presence in the community.