Huge restaurant/bar complex being developed in midtown Ocala

Two local developers and two restaurateurs are betting $4 million that their planned four-restaurant, six-bar, one-microbrewery entertainment complex in the old WMOP radio building will turn sparsely occupied midtown Ocala into a dining and clubbing destination.

“Midtown Ocala is ready for a renaissance,” said local attorney Ted Schatt, one of the developers, who identified the site for the project.

The new complex, at 343 NE First Ave., is in the former broadcast studio and adjacent property. It will be called The Forge, a reference to Ocala Iron Works, which likely had operations on the property circa 1891.

The new complex is expected to open in 2024.

Schatt said The Forge will be the first “dining and entertainment hub” located north of Silver Springs Boulevard in midtown, which historically has been mostly a commercial and non-retail area.

Growth in recent years has focused on the area around the Downtown Square and south, which Schatt partially attributes to a traffic pattern that has since changed.

Local restaurateur Wendell Landry and partner Carlos Sanchez provided themes and ideas for the four eateries, microbrewery and entertainment offerings and will operate the businesses located at The Forge as Midtown Eateries, LLC. Landry and Sanchez currently operate the Crazy Cucumber, Horse and Hound and Swampy’s restaurant here.

Miles Christian Anderson Engineers of Ocala is the engineer and architect for the project, and Walker Design architectural design of Orlando is providing design elements.

Features of the complex will include a 55-foot secluded walkway to the flagship Blind Eye, a speakeasy with period-style lighting fixtures.

Schatt, one of the prime movers of the project, is registered agent of The Forge at Madison Commons, LLC , the property owner of the 2.64-acre real estate parcel at 343 NE First Ave.

Schatt is handling the real estate end of the project along with fellow developer Joel Gibson.

Gibson said he sees a need here for what the complex will offer, and Schatt pictures the complex containing numerous kiosks or micro retailers offering specialty items like deli foods and more.

Gibson “has the vision of what Midtown can be,” Schatt stated in an email.

Schatt also is a member of the corporate ownership of the Madison Commons Condominium Association building directly across Northeast First Avenue from the Forge location.

The Madison Commons building houses the Pace Center for Girls and Victory Academy.

What will be inside The Forge?

The Forge at Madison Commons property includes the WMOP building and two outboard structures on the spacious paved area of the former car dealership, according to county property records.

Most recently, Big Lee’s: Serious About Barbecue has occupied space in the outboard area, and both the City Church and Brick City Church have previously been housed inside the former WMOP building, county property records indicate.

Interior demolition work is underway on the 20,000-plus-square-foot former WMOP building.

Demolition work is being done by a crew from Hutchinson Plumbing Co. On a recent day, crew members Albert Bartholomew and Tonya and Todd Harbin were busy working on the interior of the building.

Landry has a rundown of the planned eateries:

+ The flagship Blind Eye restaurant is a mock Prohibition-era speakeasy with “music and great food” and “covered outdoor elevated patio bar and Tiki bar.”

+ Ignite will be an Asian fusion restaurant with a sushi bar and entertainment on weekends

+ The Alloy Kitchen will serve “tapas in a casual atmosphere.”

+ A yet-unnamed fast casual restaurant will offer made-to-order pizza

+ The Hammock will be an upscale bar looking out onto Northeast First Avenue from inside the former WMOP studio.

+ A microbrewery known as the Blue Anvil Brewery will occupy the building located on the southeast side of the outboard paved area.

History of the site

Brian Stoothoff, with Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS,) provided insight into the timeline of the building occupancy.

He said Turnipseed Chevrolet occupied the property in 1926 but it could not be confirmed what business was located on the property from 1920 to 1925.

“The Turnipseed building was built in 1920. The Turnipseed Chevrolet auto dealership was established by Wilson and Florence Turnipseed. The dealership occupied this site for more than 60 years until they relocated to State Route 200 in 1985. Today the dealership on 200 is known as Palm Chevrolet.

"After 1985 WMOP radio station occupied the building at 343 North Magnolia Avenue for a period of time,” Stoothoff wrote. "Ocala Iron Works was in business in 1891, and perhaps earlier.”

A 'catalyst' site

The property at 343 NE First Ave. is considered a City of Ocala “catalyst” site. Developers of catalyst sites are eligible for incentives and grants, according to Ashley Dobbs, marketing and communications manager for the City of Ocala Office of Strategic Engagement.

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“This development has been identified as a catalyst site (or redevelopment site) per the midtown master development plan. The goal is to stimulate economic growth within the midtown area,” Dobbs wrote in an email.

“The City of Ocala has entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with The Forge at Madison Commons, LLC. (developer),” Dobbs wrote. “Built into the agreement between the city and the developers, they will receive the $46,000 towards the permit and impact fees, and as part of the incentives to (redevelop) the site they will also receive the $125,000 per year for two years.”

Dobbs stated a permit has been issued for “only an interior demo.”

Dobbs cited the former Ocala Fire Rescue Department Headquarters − adjacent to Tuscawilla Park at 235 Watula Ave. and under development by Infinite Ale Works (Brewery in Midtown) − as another City of Ocala “catalyst site.”

Tom McDonald of Infinite Ale Works gave the end of the year as an approximate opening date of the brewery.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala dining: Major restaurant/bar complex coming to old WMOP building