OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Forge hosted its grand opening on Saturday, October 10, 2026, inviting the community to enjoy free samples from its restaurants and alcoholic beverages at its bars. Guests from across the county and other states waited outside The Forge, watching the ribbon cutting by Joel and Sheila Gibson, Carlos Sanchez, Mayor Ben Marciano, Captain Eric Hooper and Battalion Chief Pam Driggers with emcee Lewis Stokes of K Country 93.7 FM.
Restaurants on-site include The Hammock, Ignite and The Blind Eye. The Hammock features a brightly lit interior with a bar in the center and coastal Spanish food with tapas. Ignite features a dimly lit interior with an elegant atmosphere, a bar in the corner of the restaurant and Asian fusion dishes. The Blind Eye adds a warm glow to the contemporary food hall with multi-level seating, a Prohibition theme, Southern-inspired fare and a bar that stretches across the entire back wall of the restaurant.
Restaurant and drink stands throughout the property include Just Desserts with ice cream and treats, Alloy Kitchen, Dear Jack Coffee Company, Parting Lines with pizza and Leaf & Vine salads and bowls. Booths included Pastry Planet for baked goods along with pop-up cocktail stand Carbliss and Gray Whale for alcoholic beverages.
The Forge is now open Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and on Sundays for brunch (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and dinner (4-9 p.m.).
Joel Gibson, Sheila Gibson, Carlos Sanchez, Mayor Ben Marciano, Captain Eric Hooper and Battalion Chief Pam Driggers cut the ribbon at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today A crowd of guests waited for the ribbon cutting at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today A crowd of guests waited for the ribbon cutting at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today The Hammock served drinks to guests at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today The Blind Eye allowed guests to walk through the entire restaurant and order drinks at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Guests had the opportunity to explore Ignite at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today One of the large restaurants on-site at the Forge Grand Opening was The Blind Eye on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Ignite featured a full bar where guests could order at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Guests were able to order drinks and learn more about on-site restaurants at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Guests could order drinks or explore the restaurant at The Hammock during the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Ignite had menus posted at the hostess stand for guests at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today The Hammock featured menus posted at the entrance for guests at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Just Deserts featured free ice cream at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Alloy Kitchen featured free samples at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Alloy Kitchen offered free samples of their chicken at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Dear Jack Coffee Company offered free samples at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Parting Lines featured free pizza samples at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today Leaf & Vine served guests and offered free samples at the Forge Grand Opening on Oct. 10, 2026. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
