Few names carry the weight of Michael Jordan. Six rings, countless clutch moments, and a highlight reel that’ll live forever. But MJ’s dominance wasn’t just on the hardwood, not by a long shot. Off the court, the man’s a straight-up mogul. From launching his iconic Air Jordans to co-owning a NASCAR team and rolling out his own Cincoro tequila, Jordan turned his name into a money-printing machine. He didn’t just play the game; he rewrote the business playbook, too. And now he is back again with a new project in hand.

So, when he decided to step into the restaurant world, it wasn’t a shock. But unlike his basketball career, it didn’t start with a string of wins in this $1.5 trillion industry. He had a few bumps along the way, but did that stop him? Not at all. As Florida’s tourist season winds down and the temperatures rise, the culinary scene is heating up. From downtown Sarasota to UTC, seven exciting new restaurants are on the way. And yes, one of them is a spinoff of a place co-founded by the legend himself, Michael Jordan. And this is kind of a homecoming for Jordan. Because when he first retired in 1993 to pursue a baseball career, this was the first place he ever played.

So, the new restaurant is called 1000 North, and it’s about to take over a prime spot in downtown Sarasota’s BLVD condominium building at 520 N. Tamiami Trail. This location was supposed to house a place called BLVD Bistro, which was a big idea from former Beach Bistro owner Sean Murphy. But, for one reason or another, that never came to be. Now, 1000 North is stepping in to make things happen.

Did you know that the original 1000 North opened in Jupiter, Florida, in 2018? And it’s got some pretty big names behind it, including Michael Jordan, golfer Ernie Els, former New York Giant Tucker Frederickson, and Marvin Shanken, the publisher of Wine Spectator. While this new spot in Sarasota has a lot of work ahead of it, it’s one to keep an eye on.

Michael Jordan is a billionaire. He’s one of only four NBA players to reach that milestone. And believe it or not, he is the first one to do so. His business smarts have been key in getting him there. But when it comes to his restaurant venture, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing from the start.

Michael Jordan’s restaurant ambition: A venture that missed the mark

You know, for a guy who never missed when it mattered, Michael Jordan’s first restaurant venture kinda clanked off the rim. Back in ’93, fresh off dominating the league, MJ opened Michael Jordan’s Restaurant in Chicago. The food wasn’t terrible, but the whole joint felt more like a tourist trap than a legit dining spot. It was one of those places you hit once for the novelty, cop a souvenir from the gift shop, and bounce. The vibe was more “museum with wings” than “place you’d flex for date night.”

It hung around for a few years, closing in ’99, but it lit a fire under Jordan. The man doesn’t like losing, whether it’s Game 7 or steakhouse reviews. So in 1998, MJ switched it up and took his talents to New York City. Right in Grand Central Terminal, no less. This time it was Michael Jordan’s Steak House, and this time he wasn’t playing around. He linked up with the Glazier Group and chef David Walzog, a guy who knew his way around a ribeye, to build something legit. The result? A space so impressive that even Ruth Reichl, the legendary New York Times food critic, was impressed.

She wrote, “The menu tells the rest of the story: it is a straightforward document offering serious food that is a far cry from what you find at the All-Star Cafe or Mickey Mantle’s. The partners have found a way to capitalize on Mr. Jordan’s fame without jeopardizing his dignity.” 

The NYC spot eventually closed in 2018, but it left a mark. It proved MJ could win off the court, too, when he dialed in. And word on the street is, he’s cooking up another restaurant project. If history’s taught us anything, after a miss, Jordan always comes back stronger.