Bob Evans’ former breakfast corner on State Road 200 will not sit empty for long. Peach Valley Cafe is moving into the vacant building on the busy corridor, with the Florida breakfast-and-lunch chain targeting a summer 2026 debut. Known for homestyle plates like housemade apple fritters and chicken and waffles, the new Ocala restaurant is expected to be roughly the company’s 10th Florida location and one more early-morning option for local diners.
Where it's headed and timeline
The new Peach Valley Cafe is slated for the former Bob Evans at 3535 SW College Road, a site that closed earlier this year and has already been removed from the national chain’s location list, according to local reporting. Marion County records indicate Holm Real Estate LLC purchased the building from National Retail Properties for about $2.9 million at the end of January, 352Today reports. Renovations have been spotted at the State Road 200 corner, and the chain is reportedly eyeing a summer opening window for the Ocala location, the outlet notes.
Owner and menu notes
Peach Valley Cafe, founded in Winter Park around 2001 and operated by restaurateur Eric Holm, has been steadily expanding across Central Florida, local outlets report. WhatNow notes that Holm also owns multiple Golden Corral franchises and that Peach Valley customizes its menus to each neighborhood. The Peach Valley Cafe website highlights housemade apple fritters, benedicts, and chicken and waffles, and invites customers to join its E-Club for opening promotions, with the locations page listing current stores and deals.
What it means for SR 200
The handoff from a national chain to a regional breakfast player fits a broader pattern on State Road 200, where big brands are trimming sites while homegrown concepts fill in, according to local coverage. Bob Evans’ SR 200 restaurant closed in mid-January, its sign has since been removed, and the prominent corner was quickly scooped up for redevelopment, Ocala-News reported. Peach Valley’s wider growth plans, including an announced Eastport location in The Villages, point to a deliberate regional push into Central Florida suburbs; The Villages has the Eastport announcement posted on its site.
Next steps and how to follow updates
For now, neither Peach Valley nor the property owner has released a firm opening date or hiring timeline for the Ocala restaurant. Official announcements are expected to land as renovations wrap up, with updates likely to appear on the chain’s website and in local coverage. The Peach Valley Cafe locations page lists current stores, contact details, and sign-up access for the E-Club, which the company promotes for opening-day perks.
