After 12 Years on SW 1st Avenue, Ocala Fresh Produce & Deli Says Goodbye

For a dozen years, a sandwich counter on SW 1st Avenue went by the name of a produce stand. One Google reviewer put it this way: "a sandwich shop that disguises itself as a produce store." On Nov. 1, 2026, the owner of Ocala Fresh Produce & Deli told its followers the shop is closing.

"After 12 wonderful years, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the closing of Ocala Fresh Produce," the post on the business's Facebook page begins.

Twelve years at 1010 SW 1st Avenue

The shop at 1010 SW 1st Ave., Ocala, FL 34471, described itself on Facebook as a place for "amazing Sandwiches, Wraps, & Salads," with an assortment of produce and lunch meat and cheese sold by the pound. Its Google Maps listing shows 4.5 stars from 440 reviews, and reviewers there single out the sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The owner did not hide what changed. "Rising operating costs, increasing product prices, and changes in the business environment have made it increasingly difficult to continue operating," the post says. It adds: "I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us, shopped with us, and became part of our journey over the past 12 years."

Where the soup went

Regulars were pointed to a new lunch spot. A flyer on the deli's Facebook page, headed "Closed Until Further Notice," said "all soups and sandwiches will be served at Ocala Downtown Diner starting Monday." The flyer carries the logos of both businesses but no date, so it does not say which Monday it means.

Ocala Downtown Diner is at 816 S Magnolia Ave., and its website lists breakfast and lunch hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, phone (352) 816-0022. The diner's own website and Facebook page did not mention the deli's menu when we checked on Nov. 2, so it is worth a call before making the trip for a specific sandwich.

What comes next

The closing post ends on a note of hope for the address. "While this chapter is closing for me, the location will have a new chapter of its own! A new business will be coming soon, so stay tuned to see what's next!" it says. The post does not name the business, and we have not found a primary source that does. We will update this story if one appears.

The post closes with a thank-you: "Thank you, Ocala, for 12 amazing years. It has truly been a privilege to serve this community!"

For other places to eat, see our guides to restaurants in Ocala and downtown Ocala dining, and for fresh produce, farmers markets in Ocala. Our running list of openings and closings is at new businesses in Ocala.

Sources: the Ocala Fresh Produce and Deli Facebook page and its Google Maps listing, and Ocala Downtown Diner's website, Facebook page and Google Maps listing, all read Nov. 2, 2026. AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing.