OCKLAWAHA, Fla. — If you’re like me, or anyone else who remembers Ocala back when it was affectionately dubbed “Slocala,” then you know Gator Joe’s. Before cell phones, Gator Joe’s was one spot newly licensed teenage drivers would escape to after school or on Saturdays when you had to meet your friends with no GPS or “wya?” texts along the way.
Locals laud the restaurant as a staple, and for good reason. The eatery has crispy gator tail, juicy burgers, tacos and other Southern comfort plates and sides perfect for the bar or table. The view is its main attraction, however.
The iconic waterfront spot on Lake Weir is getting a vibrant new look, thanks to Deborah Grant, a local painter. Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill, the family-friendly beach bar and grill established in 1926, announced on Facebook that it is undergoing an exterior makeover led by Graham. The first phase of the makeover was completed the week of June 22, 2026. It features a bold patriotic mural honoring the nation on one side of the building and a refreshed, eye-catching alligator adorning the front of the restaurant.
Graham explained her experiences painting locally.
“I’ve done lots of places in Marion County. Lots of daycares, churches and holiday windows around, especially at Christmas time,” Graham said.
Graham, who has built a strong reputation over two decades creating artwork for community spaces, is refreshing the restaurant’s signature look with a new color scheme and updates to prominent features like the large alligator atop the roof.
“I did artwork for Gator Joe’s in 2020. But they wanted to change the color scheme, so we are redoing everything, including the alligator on top of the roof. So we’re changing up everything. I have done a lot of artwork in the Ocala area for the past 20 years. Mojos,” she continued.
According to Gator Joe’s General Manager, Kailey Storm, the restaurant will soon boast a patriotic theme year-round, inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States and national celebrations spotlighting the semiquincentennial milestone for the country.
“This building needs love. That’s what we’re trying to do, give it some love,” Storm said.
She designed much of the new gator herself.
“We love the paintings. I designed them,” Storm said of the updated paintings, noting that the shift to a blue gator was intentional.
“We’re just trying to get away from the overwhelming colors; we’re dimming it down a little bit,” Storm said.
The project came together quickly.
“We just decided about a month ago that we were just going to do it,” Storm explained.
The America 1776-themed painting was the owner’s idea. Graham completed the work in about four or five days, working mornings to avoid the heat.
“She does all of our painting. She does all the painting here,” Storm said.
The changes aren’t limited to the exterior.
“I wouldn’t say it is a makeover, but we are changing all the colors, everything, even inside,” Storm said.
Inside, walls will be blue with gray trim.
“We are doing our 100-year anniversary party in August. We were doing more of the red, white, and blue for Fourth of July and the 250 America thing for that,” Storm shared.
Gator Joe’s server, Earnest Bowen, is a fan of the refreshed gator.
“The gator, it pops out. I like the color as well as the graphic design of it. It’s really nice. I love it more than the other one,” Bowen said. “It’s unique and different in its own way, it’s not like every other gator you see, so it just stands out. It’s kind of like Florida, the Florida Gators, it gives it that Florida Gator color.”
He also appreciates the overall aesthetic of the patriotic mural.
“I really like the rustic look of the painting. It’s really rustic,” Bowen said.
Bowen believes customers will notice and approve.
“They will. I think it spruces up the wall. It adds more to the building, it just like spruces it up so that you can see that we’re upgrading instead of just remaining back in time,” he continued.
As Gator Joe’s approaches its centennial, the fresh patriotic colors and updated artwork breathe new life into a Lake Weir landmark while honoring its deep roots in the community. The changes signal a venue that’s evolving with the times without losing the classic waterfront charm that keeps locals and visitors coming back.