After the worst summer of business in 2017, Sweet Mel’s, which had been a Gainesville staple for burgers and southern eats for six years, closed its doors. The property remained vacant until just recently when the people at Afternoon Restaurant decided to rent the place and turn it into a brand-new business venture: Cry Baby’s Bar.
Afternoon is a quaint, casual restaurant where you order your food at the counter. It specializes in sophisticated, yet simple brunch food, and you can order more unique menu items that are difficult to find anywhere else.
Located in the Grove Street Neighborhood, Afternoon also offers a dinner service twice a week on Friday and Saturday nights called “Afterdark.” Overall, it is a cute, trendy place with a great atmosphere.
Cry Baby’s will have bar-style food and drink. Located on the corner of Main St. and University Ave., Cry Baby’s will be open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. every night and is a larger space in comparison to Afternoon.
The theme at Cry Baby’s seems to be more vintage; there will be records available to play at Cry Baby’s Happy Hour, and if you check out their Instagram, recent posts hint at a classic, retro feel.
Both establishments value thoughtful design, hospitality, ambiance and good food. If you keep updated on the local food scene, chances are that you’ve likely come across one of Afternoon’s drool-worthy brunch shots on your Instagram feed.
“We want the experience to extend beyond food and drink, and create an environment that is inviting and aesthetically pleasing,” said co-owner Grace Glennon.
Hanger steak with potatoes, grilled onions, harissa and yogurt at Afternoon; photo via Facebook
From conception to obtaining a property, it took about six months for everything to come to fruition for Cry Baby’s, and the bar is expected to open in mid-to-late April. Renovations are currently taking place, as the entire inside of the establishment is being remodeled. The owners are working with the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in order to receive a grant for the building’s façade.
The planned menu for Cry Baby’s is “bar food, but Afternoon style” according to Glennon. There will be buckets of fried chicken in a family meal style, a double-decker veggie burger, and a wedge salad along with other typical bar food options.
“We are looking forward to being a part of the downtown scene here in Gainesville,” Glennon said. “I was born and raised here, and I am happy that I am in a position to contribute.”
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