The Coronavirus outbreak is affecting many Marion County and Ocala-area businesses and organizations.
Many have been forced to close or cancel/postpone events. Some of those include:
- The Loft, located at 36 S Magnolia Ave., #200, has indefinitely postponed its grand opening.
- The Sweet Leaf Tobacco Shop at 1220 E Silver Springs Blvd. will be closed through the end of March.
- Pi on Broadway, located at 110 SW Broadway St. in Ocala, is stepping up its to-go, curbside pickup and delivery services.
- The City of Ocala has waived the 50 cents per hour parking meter fees in the downtown area until further notice. The time limit of three hours per space, for most spaces, will not change during this time.
- Texas Roadhouse, at 3015 SW 32nd Ave., is offering curbside service from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. through April 1. Customers can place orders through the eatery’s mobile app, online, by phone (352) 619-1677 or by drive up. Those picking up orders can use the drive-thru upon arrival.
- The SPCA of Ocala is closed until further notice. The organization is reminding area residents that you can’t get the Coronavirus from dogs and cats and are asking pet owners to not take their pets to shelters out of fear they will spread or transmit COVID-19.
- The Centers, at 5664 SW 60th Ave. in Ocala, has suspended inpatient visits through mid-April. The facility is offering outpatient mental health, substance abuse and medication management services via telepsychiatry, in addition to conventional services.
- The Southeastern Pro Rodeo has been rescheduled for May-15-16. Pre-purchased tickets will be honored at the event. Refunds are available through March 25 at the point of purchase.
- The Marion Chamber Music Society has canceled its final concert of the season, scheduled for Sunday, April 19. Contact wamtac@hotmail.com for more information.
- Marion County Animals Services has canceled Saturday’s FIDO Project Meet & Greet: The Hero Hounds in Belleview; Sunday’s Pack Walk at Silver Springs State Park; and the Saturday, March 28 Ocala Pet Expo at Tuscawilla Park.
- The Marion Civic Chorale Spring Concert Series events scheduled for May 3 at St. George Anglican Cathedral and May 10 at Countryside Presbyterian Church have been canceled.
- Ocala Main Street has postponed its Guns & Hoses event until Sept. 12. For more information, contact Ocala Main Street Executive Director Leighton Okus at leighton@ocalamainstreet.com.