OCALA, FL (352today.com) – With all the talk about the forthcoming Forge dining and entertainment establishment, it’s easy to overlook a place that already exists in Ocala. Midtown Station is a food hall and social hub that was built from a repurposed fire station and opened just over a year ago in October 2024. The lakefront establishment sits on the edge of Tuscawilla across from Lake Tuscawilla.

The dining hall offers an indoor and outdoor seating, with fans on the patio for a cool dining experience. The location features a variety of vendors inside including Infinite Ale Works, Infinite Kitchen, Sipping Grounds, The Smoked Biscuit Company, Full Circle Pizza Co. and the Sugar Shack.

From the open-air outdoor patio section, guests have a view of Lake Tuscawilla and one of the city’s few fountains from their seats and the outdoor ambience with nature surrounding the area. For those visiting later in the day, the property is covered in lights for a tastefully illuminated dining spot outside for a relaxing evening. For those dining indoors, there is a display in one of the entrances, telling the history of the fire station before it became a dining hall with remnants from its past.

Midtown Station is located at 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala with varying hours throughout the week. The location is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., though the hours of the various dining and drink vendors depends on the establishments.

The variety of foods, drinks and alcoholic beverages makes Midtown Station a one-stop destination for locals looking for a unique experience. Whether looking for a place to eat, socialize, grab drinks, spend a night out or take a break while walking around the lake, Midtown Station offers plenty of food, a lively atmosphere and a nice view for a memorable experience.