A highly anticipated dining and entertainment complex that has been two years in the making has officially opened its doors in Ocala.
The Forge, a sprawling, 46,775-square-foot venue owned by Joel and Sheila Gibson, celebrated its soft opening on Monday, July 20.
Located at 343 NE 1st Avenue at the site of the former WMOP radio building, the multi-faceted establishment features an open dining plan with a diverse collection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment space all under one roof.
During a visit to the new facility on Tuesday, July 21, Ocala-News.com toured the facility and obtained photos of the extensive renovations and sheer scale of the project.
The interior boasts an industrial-chic aesthetic with polished concrete floors, soaring exposed ceilings, massive wooden bars, and a wrap-around second-story mezzanine that overlooks the main dining hall.
Among the distinct eateries now operating inside The Forge is Blind Eye, a two-story 1920s-style speakeasy that serves up Southern-inspired fare alongside a whiskey-focused bar program.
The venue will provide regular live music and space for entertainment acts.
The expansive layout allows visitors to navigate between the venue’s distinctly themed culinary and beverage concepts while offering a mix of traditional dining tables, sleek lounge couches, and elevated bar seating.
Visitors can also dine at Ignite, an Asian-fusion restaurant featuring sushi and contemporary dishes with a modern, wood-accented dining room.
According to management, on the weekends, Ignite will transform its dining room into a night club with a DJ.
The third large-scale restaurant in The Forge is The Hammock, a Mediterranean-style tapas bar emphasizing shareable plates that features a brightly lit bar and woven rattan seating.
Additional eateries in the building include Parting Lines, Alloy Kitchen, and Just Desserts, the latter of which features a dedicated neon-lit counter serving up ice cream and sweet treats to satisfy any post-meal cravings. Parting Lines serves up scratch-made pizzas, and Alloy Kitchen serves Greek-style dishes.
City records show the ambitious new building was designed to accommodate high volumes of guests, featuring over 650 seats in its varied dining and lounge spaces, along with over 300 parking spaces for visitors.
The opening of The Forge marks a major milestone for the Gibsons, who first announced the project in August 2024.
The Forge joins a growing list of businesses that are reshaping Midtown Ocala and the surrounding area. The structure is situated just a couple of blocks away from Midtown Station, a similar collective dining concept that opened its doors in late 2024.
In downtown, both the AC Marriott and Hotel Marion are both under construction. When they open, those facilities will contribute to the number of dining options available in the area.
What are your thoughts on The Forge and the continued revitalization of Ocala’s Midtown District? Share your opinions in a comment below or write a letter to the editor.