Ocala city council greenlights on-premises alcohol at Paddock Market
Unanimous vote clears path for restaurants to serve beer, wine and liquor.
[Image courtesy city of Ocala]
The Ocala City Council has approved a request to allow on-premises consumption of beer, wine and liquor at Paddock Market, the mixed-use marketplace at 3100 SW College Road in the former Sears space at the Paddock Mall.
The unanimous approval on Feb. 17 applies to the 89,250-square-foot property operated by 3100 College Road Holdings, LLLP. According to documents attached to the agenda item for council review, the venue features multiple restaurants and vendors, with a proposed total of 614 seats, 74 employees and 250 dedicated parking spaces. Proposed operating hours are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Staff from the city’s Growth Management department presented the item, noting seven calls for service to the property over the last two years, four of which were self-initiated by security. Within a 500-foot radius, two establishments already sell alcoholic beverages (Walmart Supercenter and a convenience store), with no daycares, schools or churches in the area.
A representative for the applicant, attorney Rod Fine of Coker and Fine in Fort Lauderdale, addressed the council, describing the site as a marketplace with various restaurants in the front. He confirmed that alcohol sales would be for on-premises consumption only, meaning no take-out beyond the designated area; that the proposal complies with city code; and that each restaurant would need to obtain its own state license after securing the general location permit from the city.
Ocala Public Information Officer Greg Davis provided additional clarification on the permit’s scope and requirements.
“The permit applies to the entirety of Paddock Market. Each vendor or restaurant is required to obtain its own business tax receipt; however, individual alcohol licenses are not required under this permit. Vendors should contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to confirm any specific licensing requirements that may apply to their operations. The restaurants are being constructed in accordance with approved site plans and will meet all applicable Florida Building Code requirements before commencing operations,” Davis said.
This follows Paddock Market’s limited opening in late 2025, with more vendors expected.
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
