Downtown Ocala is one step closer to getting its newest pizza joint.
Construction has begun on the above 100 year old structure on 2 Southwest Fort King Street for the pizza restaurant Mellow Mushroom. Originally two separate buildings that were combined in 1937 and formerly the home to the Brother's Keeper Thrift Store, Mellow Mushroom will wait while BWC Construction renovates the outside of the building. Brian Caracciolo, the owner of BWC Construction, said that the project will take approximately nine months.
While Mellow Mushroom will be taking over the building, it plans to share the space. The restaurant will occupy the ground floor of the two story building, while leasing the second floor to a third party tenant. The details for who might move into the second story have yet to be determined.
But Mellow Mushroom isn't the only new restaurant that's coming to down.
Chicken Salad Chick, a fast casual restaurant chain based in Auburn, AL, will soon be opening an Ocala location at 4700 Southwest State Road 200; plans are to open their doors around New Year's Day 2021. At 2707 East Silver Springs Blvd., Jeremiah's Ice will be replacing a Brewster's Ice Cream sometime in October. And the Flying Boat Tap Room, featuring local Florida-brewed beer as well as wood fired pizza, is coming to 9672 Southeast 58th Ave with an opening date to be named later.
