A collection of new gas stations, car washes, and convenience stores have recently opened or are slated for construction across Ocala.
A new 7-Eleven convenience store is scheduled for construction at the intersection of SW College Road and SW 66th Street.
Multiple car wash companies have recently completed or are currently constructing new locations across Ocala.
Tidal Wave Car Wash is planning to open its second of two new locations in southwest Ocala. That location is next door to a recently opened Circle K gas station at the intersection of SW 90th Street and SW S.R. 200.
The first Tidal Wave location, which is near the Paddock Mall, finished construction earlier this year at the former Wendy’s along SW College Road.
Caliber Car Wash recently opened a location in east Ocala as part of a nationwide push.
Not to be outdone on S.R. 200, RaceWash will add another couple locations on that road in the coming months. One of those locations will replace the former Krystal’s, which was demolished after being shuttered nearly two years ago. The second location is a couple miles from the original RaceWash in southwest Ocala, which is located at 5199 SW 48th Court.
In May, a new Speedway gas station opened at the intersection of SW 10th Street and SW 27th Avenue at 1300 SW 27th Avenue.
The new openings come in light of multiple Wawa locations opening across Ocala, and a new RaceTrac opening in 2019 at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Silver Springs Boulevard.
Earlier this year, a resident whose father previously owned and operated a large collection of gas stations across Marion County, made comments to the Ocala City Council regarding the number of gas stations in Ocala.
“A new gas station isn’t going to offer a new service, or a new product that isn’t offered across the street,” said Connor Tuck, citing over two dozen gas stations within a 2.5 mile radius of SE 25th Ave and Maricamp Road.