A quaint cafe in downtown Ocala that doubled as a shop with a wide array of artisanal products has just announced that it will close its doors after 18 years in business.
Stella’s Modern Pantry will officially close its location at 20 SW Broadway Street in Ocala in mid-June, according to a statement issued by Stacey Harvey-Atsides and Albert Barrett, the team behind the brand.
“You know what they say? All fabulous things must come to an end! It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Stella’s Modern Pantry in beautiful downtown Ocala,” reads part of the statement.
The group says the lease for the building is up after 18 years in the downtown space.
“There are not enough words to express the 18 years of relationships, laughter, and camaraderie that we have built within these walls. Every glass of wine that was shared, every conversation that was had, will stay with us for a lifetime. This was never just a business; this was a gathering spot, a routine, a small part of people’s lives, and through all of this, it was you, our customers, who helped shape Stella’s into what it is today,” reads the statement.
The restaurant is encouraging customers to visit as much as possible over the coming months, saying it is “genuinely focused on making these last days count and sharing the final moments and with each and every” person.
“We would love to hear your memories and stories of time well spent at Stella’s throughout the past 18 years,” reads the end of the statement.
Stella’s announcement comes amidst an ever-changing retail and commercial landscape in downtown Ocala, which has seen the closure of several other longtime tenants in recent years. The downtown area is also in the midst of welcoming two new hotels, a second parking garage, and the city’s first standalone Häagen-Dazs ice cream location.
Over the past several years, the list of business closures includes Molly Maguire’s, The Keep, Pi on Broadway, the Shannon Roth Collection, and Brown Dog Coffeehouse, and The Courtyard, among others.
Additionally, several new businesses have opened their doors in the area in recent years Mellow Mushroom, MOOYAH Burgers, Barons Creek Vineyards, RHN Wagyu Meat Market, The Gathering Cafe, District Kitchen and Bar, and 18 South.
In the years preceding those openings, the downtown area also saw the addition of about a dozen other businesses including Night Owl Bakery, Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Grandpa Joe’s Candy, Cantina Tequila and Tacos, Slice, Mutiny, The Tipsy Skipper, Bank Street, and Black Sheep on Broadway.
In addition to the commercial projects, multiple residential projects have sprouted up in downtown over the same time period, including the Brick City Lofts, the Watula South Townhomes, and the Lamplighter Legacy Apartments.
What are your thoughts on the closure of Stella’s Modern Pantry in downtown Ocala? Share them in a comment below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.