Gainesville eatery closed by fire in 2022 among three restaurants set to open soon

After a longer than expected wait, a popular breakfast and lunch spot is scheduled to return soon to Gainesville.

Celebration Pointe announced Saturday on Facebook that Peach Valley Cafe will open at 8471 Celebration Pointe Ave. on April 10 at 7 a.m.

The original Gainesville location off Southwest 34th Street closed following an early morning fire on Sept. 5, 2022. Owner Eric Holm told The Sun in December 2022 that plans were already in the works before the fire to move the restaurant to Celebration Pointe when its lease expired in February 2023.

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He said then that he hoped to have the new 5,000-square-foot restaurant open in spring 2023. When asked about the move to Celebration Pointe, Holm noted Gainesville's rapid growth, particularly west of Interstate 75. He called the addition of the Alachua County Sports Complex an added bonus.

"I think that adds a little whipped cream and cherry on top," he said of the sports facility.

Breakfast favorites include the Valley Omelet, which is made with three eggs and includes your choice of cheese and meat (bacon, ham or sausage) as well as breakfast potatoes or grits, and your choice of a biscuit, muffin or toast for $13.29 The Very Berry French Toast is made with mascarpone cheese, raspberry and blueberry compote and topped with fresh seasonal berries. At $11.49, a full order might break your stomach but certainly not the bank. Wash it all down with a specialty coffee or mimosa.

Heartier brunch options include chicken and waffles ($15.29), shrimp and grits ($16.99) and fiesta rancheros ($13.29).

No stop at Peach Valley Cafe is complete without an order of fresh apple fritters, which are tossed with a cinnamon-sugar blend and served with a side of brown-sugar-scented strawberry yogurt. Grab a half sack for $5.29 or a full sack for $7.99.

Peach Valley's lunch menu includes a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and wraps.

Gator's Dockside

14126 W. Newberry Road

This popular sports bar chain is set to open March 25 in the Publix at Steeplechase shopping plaza in Jonesville.

Franchise owner Jerry Roberts, who has operated the other Gainesville location at 3842 Newberry Road for more than 20 years, also owns Gator's Dockside franchises in Ocala, Lake City and Spring Hill. He also is a co-owner of Piesano's, an Italian restaurant with more than 10 locations in Florida that specializes in stone-fired pizza.

The 6,100-square-foot restaurant includes a large patio with an indoor/outdoor bar and 42 high-definition televisions.

“We wanted to create a space where families and friends could come together to enjoy great food, great company, and great sports,” Roberts said in a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome Jonesville and Newberry through our doors.”

Roberts told The Sun in May that he hoped to have the restaurant open by the end of 2023, but that construction delays were possible. He also said the restaurant will employ between 50 and 60 people.

Gator's Dockside's menu is fairly large and features a variety of "Gatorizers," sandwiches, entrees, soups and salads. The restaurant, however, is perhaps best known for its wings, which are deep fried, tossed in your choice of one of more than 15 sauces and then grilled to sear in the flavor.

Gator's Own Scooter sauce, its most popular, is a mix of honey and garlic. Other options include sweet BBQ, Caribbean jerk and mango habanero. Those looking to clear their sinuses can get their wings tossed in the the pepper suicide or reaper sauce.

Gator's Dockside in Jonesville will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

PrimoHoagies

211 S. Main St., Gainesville

This New Jersey-based sandwich chain that in July was voted by USA Today 10Best readers as the best sub shop in the United States will hold a grand opening on Thursday for its first Gainesville location.

Known for its use of sesame-seeded rolls and Thurmann's gourmet meats and cheeses, PrimoHoagies will be located across from the criminal courthouse on Main Street. Thursday's grand opening kicks off at 10 a.m. with the first 100 guests receiving a free Primo size hoagie. There also will be $6.99 Primo size hoagies available throughout the day.

PrimoHoagies announced Monday that it will be giving away a chance to win free tuition for a year to one lucky student as part of the grand opening celebration.

The restaurant's sandwich menu is divided into 10 subcategories, such as Italian Classics, Diablos, Philly Cheesesteaks and Meatless.

A small Italian costs $8.99 and is made with prosciutto, provolone cheese, hot capicola and natural genoa salami. A small Philly Cheesesteak starts at $9.99 and includes your choice of cheese.

Sides include potato and macaroni salads, coleslaw, pickles, chips and more.

Founded in South Philadelphia in July 1992 by Richard and Colleen Neigre, PrimoHoagies now has more than 100 locations in operation across 11 states. Locations in Florida now open include those in Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Stuart and Tallahassee.

PrimoHoagies in Gainesville will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Peach Valley Cafe Gator's Dockside and PrimoHoagies in Gainesville