A new business is taking over a downtown Ocala location sold by Soleil Bakery, which consolidated back into one location just a couple years after expanding into southwest Ocala.
Night Owl Bakery is currently renovating the space at 56 SE 1st Avenue, replacing Soleil after its multi-year run in the building ended on June 28.
According to state corporate records, the new business is owned by Kevin and Jessica Ferrara of Ocala.
Night Owl Bakery will offer espresso and a variety of coffee options, sandwiches, and breads, among other items.
In addition to its food and drinks, the business will also offer a little free library, which is a form of community book exchange that allows patrons to drop off and pick up literature.
The new business took over the space just over three years after Soleil Bakery first opened in the spring of 2022. A year and a half after Soleil opened in downtown, the company opened its second location in the Shady Oaks Shopping Center at 2435 SW 27th Avenue.
In a statement posted to the business’s downtown location before it closed earlier this year, owner Melanie Patrick briefly explained the reason behind the closure, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
“We’ve made the heartfelt decision to close this location as we merge our two bakeries into one. This change allows us to spend more time with our family while continuing to do what we love,” reads a statement shared by Soleil.
In a separate statement to Ocala-News.com, Patrick indicated that the business had sold off the space and assets to the new owners. She encourages customers to visit Soleil’s consolidated space, where they can enjoy the same products and services she has offered for years.
When the new Night Owl Bakery opens, it will join a completely revitalized downtown Ocala that has seen the addition of at least a dozen restaurants and food-related businesses since 2019, including RHN Wagyu Meat Market, Barons Creek Vineyards, MOOYAH Burgers, Mellow Mushroom, District Bar & Kitchen, the Gathering Cafe, Brown Dog Coffeehouse, Symmetry Coffee, Grandpa Joe’s, Bank Street, Black Sheep on Broadway, and Big Hammock Brewery.
Will you try the new Night Owl Bakery when it opens? Share your thoughts in a comment below.