OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Memories of playing cards, watching jai alai, quarter beer nights, attending concerts and even high school graduations are being shared on social media as people in north-central Florida learn that Ocala Gainesville Poker and Jai Alai (OGP) will be shutting down effective this weekend.
Posts on the OGP website and the business’ Facebook page confirm that its last night in business is this Saturday, Oct. 28.
“Now is the time to cash out all Ocala Gainesville Poker chips in your possession, as they will have no cash value as of 10/28/2023,” warns the post.
The posts thank patrons for their loyalty and invite them to come to the new venue, Ocala Bets, which will be located at 1781 SW 60th Ave. across from the Ocala International Airport.
No grand opening date has been announced. The forward-facing posts simply indicate opening day will be announced soon while unofficial posts indicate November 9.
Ocala Bets (OB) touts that it will have 35 card tables, Las Vegas-style games, Texas Hold-Em Poker, a full bar and more. Ads on the website indicate OB is hiring for full and part-time positions. Posts on Facebook recruiting for poker dealers indicated an eight-week training program started in early October.
For decades, the establishment many knew simply as Ocala Jai Alai on West Highway 318 in Orange Lake has been the setting for more than just gambling. Nearly 100 posts on the Wind-FM, our sister radio station, Facebook page take a communal trip down memory lane.
Kelli Hewett Tillman writes, “Going to see wrestling back in the day… Dusty Rhodes, Mike Graham, Barry Windham.”
Many posted concert memories of performances ranging from Vince Neil of Motley Crue to Molly Hatchet, The 5th Dimension to Sawyer Brown.
Coreen McBain Yawn found love, “I met my husband there. We have been together for over 25 years.”
Many people recalled attending high school graduations at the site. The posts recount graduations stretching from 1977 to 1987. And others reflected on college night deals of quarter beers and equally affordable hot dogs.
While the end of an era is coming quickly, Ocala Bets is likely to provide new memories for generations to come.