Here We Grow Again – John Harms’ Plan for New NW Ocala Restaurant & Retail Space
OHP’s client, John Harms has lofty plans for northwest Ocala — and the experience to make it happen.
BY HEATHER LEE | AN OHP EXCLUSIVE
There’s a NEW OASIS coming to Northwest Ocala, and you can thank John Harms for that. The entrepreneur and developer purchased the property at 5406 North US Highway 27, and is hatching plans for a multi-use restaurant and retail facility unlike any other in Ocala and Marion County. Stretching 11 acres in the heart of horse country, the project will feature 100,000 square feet of office, entertainment, restaurant, and retail space.
“It’s important to design a project worthy of its location, and I know that this will reflect the love we all share for Ocala, the local community, and everything that defines the city we call home,” says John, founder of Millennium Systems International (MSI), a software company that specializes in Salons, Spas, and Medical Spas, and also happens to invest in restaurants.
Although the project is yet to break ground—late 2024 or early 2025—there’s already an audible buzz in the local community.
John laughs. “I told Gary Hartogh at Couture Lifestyle Homes, and Matt Varney at Ocala Horse Properties and Horse Farms Forever, and the next thing I know, people are coming up to me in the gym and stopping me in Publix. So there’s definitely a lot of excitement, and clearly a need to do something on this side of town, you know?”
John moved to Marion County in 2021 with his fiancée Tali Terlizzi, purchasing a hundred-acre farm for their growing stable of quarter horses. They’ve quickly made themselves comfortable, surrounding themselves with a network of friends that span equestrian, philanthropic, and business communities alike. The couple are regular patrons at their favorite restaurant, Stirrups.“ We’re those people that actually have a weekly standing date at Stirrups, and we love it. It’s our home away from home,” John says. “But, in all fairness, who doesn’t want a little variety? That was one of the benefits of living in New Jersey, so close to New York City… endless possibilities. There are so many positive things happening in Ocala and Marion County, but when it comes to food and entertaining… well, we could definitely use more options.”
John Harms is creating a multi-use restaurant and retail facility unlike any other in Ocala and Marion County
So, how does a guy known for building software for salons and spas became a restaurant entrepreneur?
“I started MSI 30 years ago and our systems are being used worldwide. It’s been incredibly successful, and I’m very grateful. But it just always seemed intriguing to me to own a bar or a restaurant, a place that just felt like your own? So I finally took the leap 10 years ago with Blu Ale House. Great atmosphere, casual, but fun, with a fully scratch kitchen.”
“John paints an extraordinary picture of possibility, full of enthusiasm that it’s difficult not to get swept up in the excitement.”
He’s quick to quantify that statement. “Here’s the thing… I’m not an operator or a general manager or a restauranteur. I’m a concept and business guy. I think it’s important in any business to know what you’re good at and what you’re not, right?” John says with laugh. “The team at Blu Hospitality has done an incredible job. So much so that we decided to do another concept, Blu On The Hudson. It’s an enormous endeavor, 30,000 square feet known for its fine dining, elevated, but eclectic cuisine, innovative drinks, extensive wine list and spectacular views of the city.”
Indeed, there’s no question that Blu has its left its mark: It’s right across from the Manhattan skyline with fine views of the midtown skyscrapers, and the interior is a carefully curated space that include a huge white marble bar, a beautifully decorated separate sushi restaurant and a very comfortable lounge area with fireplace. “What we’ve created at Blu is truly exceptional,” he says proudly. “Definitely elevated fine dining, but what I’m most proud of is the service. Truly exceptional service.”
And that’s what he hopes to bring to the property on 27th. “We’re not bringing Blu to Ocala,” Johns says, clearly. “This will be its own thing, but service will be at the core what we offer. I envision our restaurant having really great, scratch-made food in a elevated, but comfortable and welcoming environment. A blend of the comfort of Ocala with the best of Wellington and Palm Beach, and just a touch of New York and New Jersey.”
But the space it so much more than just one restaurant. “There’s room for five or six really good dining options with entertainment, plus, we’ll have some retail, we’ll have some high end equestrian franchises, as well as office space. From a design perspective, I want it to feel like an oasis. Here in northwest Ocala, every farm is its own oasis with its own particular flair. We want that kind of feeling, the feeling of coming home. Being welcomed. And having options.”
It’s important to design a project worthy of its location, and I know that this will reflect the love we all share for Ocala, the local community, and everything that defines the city we call home
John HARMS – founder of Millennium Systems International (MSI)
“Let me take a step back,” he says. “As it stands now, in the front, there will be executive offices kind of off to the side, because there’s very little office space on the northwest side here. So I’m going to build an office building in the front right side. On the left side will be retail, slash coffee, slash whatever we think the area needs. And then that center drive will have 3 buildings in a horseshoe shape with fountain in the middle for outdoor relaxation, fire pits, and outdoor music.”
“I picture the bottom having five or six restaurants, mine and five others. I’m going to be very picky about those options because I want variety. I want people to really look at this place as a destination, where there’s great food and great service, and options for entertainment. Maybe it’s live music. Maybe it’s a wine bar with live music. Maybe there’s just an entertainment complex that has bands one day and a comedian the next. The kind of place where you can go on any night of the week and be excited about what’s going on.”
John paints an extraordinary picture of possibility, full of enthusiasm that it’s difficult not to get swept up in the excitement. But first, there are the “boring details” to attend to. Infrastructure, engineering, renderings, permits, and planning. He’s working with Tillman & Associates on those details—“a truly great partner,” he says. “They get the vision, which is important. And their work ethic is impeccable.”
So while the residents of northwest Ocala will have to wait a few more years to see the project come to fruition, rest assured this oasis—whose name is yet to be determined—will most certainly be a thriving entertainment destination. Not only a community for personal entertainment, but also a mixed-use paradise for creative spirits. Gourmet restaurants and boutiques meet exercise studios and specialty merchants. Relaxing greenspaces and casual corporate offices amidst the beauty of horse county. A gathering place for all of Ocala.
