Spurrier’s new restaurant

from Ocala Magazine June 2021 Digital Issue

by ocalamag

Juneteenth Celebration

Spurrier’s new place

Famed coach's restaurant strives to be ‘the epicenter of Gator Nation’

STORY + PHOTOS BY BRAD ROGERS

The Head Ball Coach himself recently led a group of Ocalans on a tour of his new restaurant and bar in Gainesville, called “Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille.”

The former Florida Heisman Trophy winner and championship-winning University of Florida football coach said he got the idea to build the restaurant when his daughter suggested he needed a place to display all his memorabilia from more than a half century as one of football’s most recognizable stars.

So, while Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, along with the rooftop bar “Visors,” will be a place to dine and drink, it will also serve as a museum to Spurrier’s career as well as some other Gator greats.

“It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience,” said Freddie Wehbe, Spurrier’s business manager and managing partner in the restaurant. “This is going to be the epicenter of Gator Nation.”

The concept, which Wehbe said was developed after $1 million in research, is to provide fine dining in a Gator-themed environment. The restaurant/bar is expected to attract UF fans from across the state – there are 6 million of them. Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille’s target market is from The Villages to Lake City, and the state’s tourism agency is so impressed with the restaurant/museum concept that it is planning promotional billboards along I-75, Wehbe said, adding that the state agency believes it could draw some 280,000 visitors a year.

With seating for 525 diners, Wehbe said it will be among the 10 largest restaurants in Florida when it opens. The rooftop bar, Visors, will have a capacity of 220. The sign at the entrance of Visors, which has a retractable roof, is made from coach Spurrier’s old visors.

Plans call for 375 employees, including 10 chefs. Head chef Market Heigl says the cuisine

The front of Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville. The restaurant and bar will feature a museum dedicated to coach Steve Spurrier’s long career as a player and coach.

Wallpaper in one of the restrooms featuring plays Spurrier drew up over the years.

will be eclectic, but most of the dishes are going to feature locally grown or harvested meat, seafood and vegetables.

Besides the expansive dining areas, Spurrier’s will also have four private rooms for meetings and groups, the largest being the Bull Gator Room.

Wehbe said there is a misconception among some that Spurrier’s is just another sports bar.

“This is not a sports bar,” he said emphatically. “This is a premier restaurant. This is a ‘polished casual’ restaurant.”

Wehbe said Spurrier’s different approach has caught the attention of other coaches, among them Alabama’s Nick Saban.

Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill is expected to open in July and is located in Celebration Point, just off I-75 at the Archer Road exit in Gainesville.

Spurrier, left, and business manager/partner Freddie Wehbe, talk to a group of Ocalans during a recent tour of the restaurant.

MCCA’s Evening of Excellence

STORY + PHOTOS BY LESLIE WENGLER

The Marion County Children’s Alliance had its 2nd annual Evening of Excellence at the Country Club of Ocala April 29th. Throughout the evening different organizations accepted awards for their gallant efforts in aiding the enrichment of the lives of Marion County children. As well as the inaugural Dr. Mike P. Jordan award, which was awarded to Shores First Assembly of God, Kimberly’s Center also received an award for its new playground, which Dawn Westgate accepted on their behalf. To enhance the evening, the multi-talented Caleb Lombardo sang three songs, one with a guitar and two with piano. With everyone singing along, it was clear moments like these one can truly feel the community coming together for a greater cause.

Caleb Lombardo

Beth McCall and Jaye Baille The Lombardos

Dr. Mike P. Jordan and Nancy Castillo

Mayor Kent Guinn, Laurie Zink, Brad and Debbie Rogers Scot Quintel and Kelly Welch Mcatee

Ryan and Ashley Gerds Kelley Windham and Karim Martin Beth McCall and Pastor John Delcamp

Festival of Speed

STORY + PHOTOS BY LESLIE WENGLER

Derby day was an exciting day at the World Equestrian Center. There was the Festival of Speed event as well as two VIP events occurring within the hotel for the Kentucky Derby. Women dressed in derby attire walked among Porsches, Henleys, and other high-end cars.

The Marion Cultural Alliance was there with three of the 2020 Horse Fever horses, selling tickets for a raffle to win one of them. It was nice to see the winners of the American and European classic trophies and the excitement they had, as well as the men and women walking the halls of the hotel checking out the grandeur of the lobby and the newly opened restaurants and bars. All in all, it was an exciting day, and if you haven’t had a chance to check out the World Equestrian Center, you should put that on your summer to-do list.

Kami Moretti and Stacey Rollins Kate MacDonald,David Reinke, Sue Mcdonald, David, Daniel, and Jack Mccdonald

David and Laurie Kellner Brayden Deshaw

Winner of European Classic Henly

Jim Scott Vanessa, Madison, Ashley, and Kelsey Chico

Symphony Under the Stars 2021

STORY + PHOTOS BY LESLIE WENGLER

Traditions are not something to be taken lightly, especially after this past year with the pandemic. It was such a lovely thing to see families gathering on the golf course again, with their picnic blankets, displays of charcuterie, as children played in the grass to the backdrop of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

This year, the gates opened earlier than previous years and there were two opening acts before the symphony played. “Just Joel” a local DJ who has an exceptional talent for mixing songs started at 3 p.m.; then “Left on Broadway” serenaded everyone from 4-5 p.m. Marion Bar & Bubbles, sponsored by Ocala Eye, treated all the mothers to a free mimosa to celebrate.

The fireworks show was extravagant and ended a remarkable evening. Hopefully, this event will be a pathway that we are nearing the end of the pandemic and more events like this will take place, once again.

Dawson Landmann Left on Broadway Sawyer and Laura Sherman

Ronnie and Lorna Santana, Captain Dustin Quentjes, Emily Mcguire, Lyndsey and Kyle Landmann, Mike and Amanda Gill

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra Matthew Wardell conducting the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Judah Smith Erin Emanuel and Caleb Tomaszewski

Gavin Munn and Rebecca Negron Katie and Robert Huff The Bradshaw and Bascom families

Preakness Party 2021

Louisville native Newell Fox and his wife, Heba Fox, organized the 8th annual Preakness Party back in May where folks from Gainesville invade the Horse Capital of the World to enjoy horse racing’s second leg of the Triple Crown.

Dressing up in racing day attire and betting the horses, the group travels via a 56-passenger bus complete with live DJ on board and flight attendants to serve the official drink of the Preakness Stakes, Black Eyed Susans.

In the past, the group has visited the Ocala Breeders Sales and Oxford Downs and this year held its party at Sunday Table Farm — hosted by Pat and Kelly Acevedo, Nick and Danielle Bouvier — followed by a quick stop at Bank Street Patio Bar in downtown Ocala.

Though a Florida-bred did not win, the libations flowed and the party never waned!

Liz Smock and Carrie Cason Jen Khoury, Tara Edelstein, Hebah Fox, Kirsten Stinson, Kelly Haager, Jenn Garrett, Tara Bromierski, Elizabeth Howell, Tina Waters and Tammy Kavanaugh