OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ocala is seeing a large increase in new businesses whether it be franchises hitting the area or local shops getting a fresh start. However, as these businesses make their way in, some local restaurants and retail stores closed in 2025. Rising costs, competition and changing consumer habits reshaped the city’s dining and shopping landscape, paving the way for a new look at the city in 2026.

Brooklyn’s Backyard 

Brooklyn’s Backyard was a family-owned restaurant with a backyard-style atmosphere serving burgers, pizza, wings and more comfort food. Although it was a well-known establishment, it permanently closed its doors during the summer. The lot is currently vacant at 2019 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

Brown Dog Coffeehouse 

Brown Dog Coffee House was a family-owned coffee shop serving coffee, tea, gelato, pastries, breakfast items and lunch items with two-floor seating, a small fireplace and a chess board. The store announced its closing and the potential of new ownership on Facebook just before its official closure after less than a year of operation in November. The building is currently under refurbishment at 40 SW 1st Ave., Ocala.

Champs Sports 

Champs Sports was an athletic apparel and footwear store inside Paddock Mall. The closure came as a part of Foot Locker’s “Lace Up” strategy, which targeted underperforming mall stores for closure as the company shifts focus to larger and concept locations. The store officially closed its doors in January and is currently still vacant at 3100 SW College Rd., Ocala.

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ 

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ was a hot dog, barbecue and axe-throwing restaurant that opened in Aug. 2023, briefly closed later that year and reopened under new ownership, adopting Firehouse Urban Axe Throwing, which previously operated in the Paddock Mall as its axe-throwing partner. The franchise struggled with repeated closures, changing ownership and operational challenges, citing business model issues and financial strain as factors in the repeated shutdowns. The Paddock Mall location has since been replaced with another store, however, the Shady Oaks Shopping Plaza location at 2463 SW 7th Ave., Ocala is currently vacant.

Food Truck Village (Marion Oaks) 

The Food Truck Village, located near Marion Oaks, closed after Marion County revoked its special use permit, forcing the food truck operators out of the lot. County officials cited ongoing issues tied to excessive rainfall, drainage problems and site conditions that prevented the property from meeting permit requirements. The location officially closed in August at 2655 SW Hwy 484 and now stands as a vacant lot blocked by a metal gate.

Joann Fabrics 

Joann Fabrics in the Shady Oaks Shopping Plaza permanently closed its doors following the parent company’s bankruptcy and nationwide store closures. The Ocala location at 2405 SW 27th Ave.,Ocala officially closed its doors in May before being replaced by Ocala Furniture Outlet.

OLA Drive-Thru Coffee 

OLA Drive-Thru Coffee, a local drive-thru coffee concept that opened its first Ocala location at 920 N Pine Ave., Ocala. in June 2023 and later expanded to 3233 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala before closing both shops in December. The Pine Avenue location shuttered, followed by the Maricamp Road store just weeks later, citing increasing competition in the drive-thru coffee market. The locations are currently vacant.

Roses Discount Store 

The Roses Discount Store, a regional discount retailer known for low-priced household goods, apparel and seasonal items closed as part of a rebranding and redevelopment plan. The site was later taken over and reopened as a Big Lots after their previous closure at another location. The location at 8445 SW State Road 200., Ocala finally closed its doors in July. The city still has one remaining Roses store at 2640 NE 14th St., Ocala.

Soleil Bakery (Downtown Ocala)

Soleil Bakery’s downtown Ocala café closed after several years of operation on the Historic Downtown Square. The bakery, known for gluten-free pastries and artisan breads, consolidated operations into its Shady Oaks Shopping Center location at 2435 SW 27th Ave., Ocala which remains open. The downtown space at 56 SE 1st Ave. closed in June before being sold and taken over by Night Owl Bakery.