There were a handful of restaurant closings in 2021, but many new openings in Ocala and across Marion County. To name just a few: The mom and pop restaurant San’s Pizzeria, Elevation 89 at Ocala International Airport, Stirrups at the World Equestrian Center Hotel and Culver’s opened their doors last year.
Others have been delayed, but many are anticipating openings later in 2022. The following list includes restaurants, bakeries, and more that are currently under construction and scheduled to open in Ocala in the future.
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Snacks 352
January 2022
4271 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Antojitos 352, which translates as “little desire”, is expected to take over the former Cheapoz location on Silver Springs Boulevard in early 2022. The business becomes a modern Mexican snack bar with sweet and savory options including homemade Mexican ice cream, paletas (popsicles), aguas frescas, Mexican street corn, and loaded sabritas (chips).
Soleil confectionery and desserts
February 2022
56 SE First Avenue, Ocala
After initial plans to open a joint café with Symmetry Coffee and Crepes last summer, Soleil Confections & Desserts, known for its macarons at the Ocala Downtown Market, is now planning a solo bakery at the location of the former tattoo shop in around February 2022 Sovereigns and villains. The storefront, run by Melanie and Chris Patrick, will be a bakery by day and a dessert bar by night, specializing in gluten-free products and other savory options.
The doozy foods and libations
February 2022
3394 SW College Road, Ocala
Nina and Chris Schweers, owners of Ocala Fresh Produce and Ocala Downtown Diner, hope to open the 1930s speakeasy-themed restaurant on 200 State Road in a former Pizza Hut building in February 2022 with vegan and gluten-free options.
Cody’s original roadhouse
March 2022
8169 SW Highway 200, Ocala
After approval delays that delayed the expected opening from January, Cody plans to begin operations on the north side of State Road 200 near On Top of the World in March 2022. Owned and operated by Allen and Amy Musikantow of Ocala, the restaurant features hand-cut USDA steaks, fresh seafood, ribs, all-you-can-eat salad and an outdoor terrace with live entertainment. The restaurant will also include a putting green and a corn hole board.
District bar & kitchen
September 2022
110 SW Broadway St., Ocala
The restaurant and sports bar combo with live music and entertainment is set to replace the Pi on Broadway, which closed earlier in 2021. Major renovations are needed, but the new restaurant is expected to open in 2022, hopefully in September.
J ★ ROCKS 23
1606 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Autumn 2022
JerROCKS Pizzeria and Blue Highway Pizzeria owner Jerriel Bazile announced a new location called J ★ ROCKS 23, which will soon appear in Ocala. It will be a 2-in-1 Louisiana seafood and fried chicken restaurant with drive-thru, dine-in, and patio options. The menu is expected to include platters of cooked seafood, chicken tenders, sandwiches, po ‘boys, salads, ice cream and more. Bazile expects to hire 40 to 50 employees and participate in the community through scholarship and reading programs.
Soft mushroom
2 SW Fort King St., Ocala
Last quarter of 2022
Mellow Mushroom, an American pizza chain founded in Atlanta in 1974, will open a location in Ocala in late 2022. Mellow Mushroom is being built in the former Brother’s Keeper Thrift Store on Southwest Fort King Street, part of which was built in 1891.
The Magnolia depot
531 NE First Avenue, Ocala
The expected opening will be announced later
Terry Marince and Matt Reber, partners of The Lion & the Bull, Inc., have signed a five-year lease with the City of Ocala to open a restaurant at Union Station, where Dee Dee’s Diner used to be. The couple previously ran Sunset Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach before closing in 2019 and moving to Ocala.
Restaurants that will be closed in 2021:
- Aneta’s Bistro – Polish Cuisine, Ocala
- Dee Dee’s Diner, Ocala (December 2020)
- Down on the bank, Ocala
- Louie’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Ocala
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.