NewsLine staff
A Fernandina Beach hospitality founder is pulling back from more than a decade of retail investment in Nassau County, and the exit is fueling new small business growth, not retreat, said a recent release.
The A1A Cidery team, led by founder Roger Morenc, announced on social media that its taproom, open since January 2024, has been sold, according to the release.
“It has been an absolute honor pouring for you, celebrating with you and being a small part of so many of your memories. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you. Every pint, every visit, every kind word meant the world to us,” an April 28 post read, the release stated.
While A1A cider will remain available on taps at bars throughout Nassau County, the taproom itself will be closed for renovation by the team behind Philly Boyz — a Nassau County cheesesteak operation since 2008, said the release. Led by Joe Zimmerman, the new operators will continue cider production and wholesale sales at the renovated building at 230 S. 8th St., Morenc said in the release.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share that Philly Boyz has purchased the business and will be opening their new home right here. We can’t think of better hands to carry on the spirit of this place,” Morenc wrote on social media, the release said.
Morenc paid $864,000 in 2019 for the 8,747-square-foot property at 230 and 232 S. 8th St., a sky blue, 1946-built former car dealership, according to the release.
Zimmerman said that they hope to open a new retail Philly Boyz location at the site by the end of 2026, said the release.
“It’s such a cool location,” Zimmerman said. “And we’re excited to be back in Fernandina where we first opened Philly Boyz. It’s important to us to carry on the legacy that Roger started here and give them the proper respect for the business that they founded.”
Zimmerman opened the first Philly Boyz brick-and-mortar store in 2008 before closing down in favor of food trucks, the release stated. There is now a four-truck fleet that operates across Northeast Florida, according to the release.
For Morenc, the retail sale continues a combined pullback and local reinvestment, said the release. The entrepreneur also sold his Marlin & Barrel Distillery to the Amelia Island Hospitality Group in July 2025, according to the release. The founder ensured the brand stayed within the community, the release stated. AIHG also operates the Palace Saloon and Amelia Liquors, among others, said the release.
