08/17/2025
as marley mae prepares to close its doors, i’ve been reflecting deeply on what it means to be a small business in downtown ocala. a lil novel is incoming 😬
while this chapter is ending, my love for our downtown + the incredible small businesses that still remain is not. i will always be a champion for shopping small + i hope you will be too. even when it’s easier to click “add to cart.” even when parking feels like a pain. even when a big box store might save you a few bucks. please choose to shop small.
because when you don’t - those small businesses go away. + what takes their place? chains. corporations. businesses run by people who don’t know your name, who aren’t sponsoring your kid’s little league team, who aren’t pouring their hearts into your community every single day.
local, independent businesses are the soul of our city. we’re not here to get rich (clearly!) - we’re here because we believe in what we do, + in what downtown could be.
it’s become painfully clear over the past few years that the city of ocala + ocala main street aren’t stepping in to help downtown retail thrive. the truth is: downtown doesn’t survive without you. your dollars, your foot traffic, your voice - they truly matter more than ever. if something is keeping you from coming downtown, let the city + your local council know. be loud.
to the businesses still hanging in there: i see you, i support you, + i’m cheering you on with my whole heart.
to our community: please keep showing up. spend intentionally. help make sure the heart of ocala keeps beating. please support our downtown retail:
thanks for letting me be a part of it for so many years - let’s finish this week off strong 💪
xoxo, jennifer