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A fixture eatery and nightspot in downtown Ocala has completely shuttered.
Molly Maguire’s Eatery of Ocala, 17 SW First Ave., was opened on Oct. 14, 2014 by native businessman George Carrasco. The eatery closed on Dec. 19.
“It’s not bittersweet. My stewardship for this area is over,” Carrasco stated throughout a Dec. 22 interview.
The eatery was recognized for its signature smoked rooster sandwich, known as the “Soiled Hen,“ and fare together with garbanzo bean soup and a Cuban sandwich.
Carrasco has bought, upgraded and repurposed many downtown properties, together with storefronts adjoining to the downtown sq. and alongside Southwest Broadway. He believes nobody possess something endlessly; we solely act as stewards for a given time.
“I selected to not renew the lease and I’m shifting on,” he stated.
Carrasco stated no jobs will likely be misplaced with the closing.
Molly Maguire’s had three core staff: Carrasco, Elizabeth Arnett and Patti Amico. Each ladies plan to go to work with O’Malley’s Alley, he indicated.
Carrasco stated he’ll deal with the operation of O’Malley’s, a “traditional Irish pub on the downtown sq.” based on their Fb put up.
Carrasco opened O’Malley’s in 1997 and the placement now employs about 25 individuals. He indicated O’Malley’s would serve the soiled bird-type sandwiches.
O’Malley’s Alley and Molly Maguire’s are linked by an alley.
Carrasco, 65, a local of Tampa who holds a level in historical past, as soon as labored with United Phone Yellow Pages. He has been concerned with Interfaith Emergency Providers and served as a trustee on the Marion County Hospital District Board.
Carrasco has been a driving drive in growing downtown Ocala properties, together with a number of places alongside southwest Broadway Road that now home companies together with Stella’s Fashionable Pantry at 20 SW Broadway St.
Carrasco initially donated a number of of the shops for no less than a yr to be used as places providing artwork and antiques. The shops have since modified choices a number of occasions.
Elizabeth Arnett, 25, has labored at Molly Maguire’s since she was 16.
“It doesn’t really feel like work (right here); it’s like household,” she stated.
Arnett says the soiled chicken sandwich — with smoked rooster, caramelized onion, provolone cheese and extra — was the favourite dish “10 to 1.”
Arnett stated the restaurant smoked its personal rooster and bacon. A dirty chicken is a unclean chicken topped with in-house smoked bacon and extra types of rooster like Buffalo rooster had been additionally served, Carrasco stated.
Mike Porter of close by American Pawn of Ocala stated he’s unhappy to see a very good enterprise neighbor go away. He has loved the restaurant’s Cuban sandwich.
Former metropolis lawyer Pat Gilligan stated in a telephone interview that Carrasco might be thought-about the tip of the spear within the growth of in the present day’s downtown Ocala.
Carrasco described one other storefront he upgraded on Southwest Broadway Road that was almost in want of demolition, with holes within the construction, however now’s a part of a revitalized strip of shops.
Gilligan indicated the event of numerous properties in downtown Ocala by non-public enterprise individuals drove the modifications and upgrades that adopted in downtown Ocala, like highway enhancements and the multi-story downtown parking storage.
Gilligan stated “one man” (Carrasco) took an opportunity and received the ball rolling in downtown Ocala.
“It took a businessman. There ought to be a statue of George downtown,” Gilligan stated.
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In the meantime, Carrasco stated the restaurant’s furnishings will likely be donated to the Humane Society of Marion County and the eatery‘s refrigeration gear will likely be donated to Interfaith Emergency Providers.
Carrasco stated he appreciated working with former Mayor Kent Guinn and appears ahead to working with present Mayor Ben Marciano.
“Ocala has been excellent to me,” Carrasco stated.
The restaurant is holding Molly Maguire’s Mulligan, a final probability for purchasers to order their favourite dish from the restaurant for takeout solely. Clients should place their order by Dec. 26 at 3 p.m., and pickup is on the former Molly Maguire’s location, 17 SW First Ave., on Dec. 28 between 11 a.m. and seven p.m. E-mail 58gcopm@gmail.com
This text initially appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Popular restaurant ends its nine-year run in downtown Ocala
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