A premium ice cream brand is hoping to transform a vacant space in the heart of Ocala into its first standalone shop in the city.
Häagen-Dazs has plans to build a new franchise at 40 S. Magnolia Avenue. The 1,300-square-foot ice cream shop would be situated between Mutiny Bar and The Lodge Craft Pub.
The project calls for the conversion of the commercial space into a full-service ice cream parlor featuring the brand’s signature layout.
On Tuesday, Ocala City Council members will discuss a $50,000 grant request for the project during their regularly scheduled Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board meeting.
Z Wellness, LLC, which is owned by Alexandra and Jamie Zimbleman, has planned a comprehensive interior buildout at the downtown site, including the installation of new partitions, ceilings, flooring, and updated electrical and mechanical systems.
According to city records, the company has secured a long-term lease for the property through 2036, signaling a commitment to the downtown corridor.
City staff has recommended approval of the $50,000 Commercial Building Improvement Grant to help offset the significant construction costs, which are estimated to range between $447,371 and $516,606.
The specific grant program is designed to encourage private investment in downtown properties, specifically targeting vacant or underutilized spaces.
According to plans filed with the city, the new shop will feature a customer area with table seating, a long service counter with dipping cabinets for ice cream, and a brand wall display.
If the grant is approved, construction is expected to begin shortly, as the application was advanced to the board to avoid delays.
Outside of Ocala, the nearest Häagen-Dazs ice cream shops are located in The Villages and Orlando.
Will you try the new brand when it opens? Share your thoughts in a comment or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.