The downtown Ocala space that housed La Cuisine for 17 years is about to become First Avenue Bar & Bistro, a new American restaurant targeting an early-to-mid October opening at 48 SW 1st Avenue. Owner Don Gulling purchased the business in July after submitting a formal letter of intent, and renovation crews are already reworking the interior into what the team describes as a lighter, brighter, more contemporary space.
According to 352today, the plan traces back to mid-May, when La Cuisine's owners, Patrice Perron and Elodie Guinard, approached Gulling about the sale. Gulling has known the pair for about 15 years, and the two French natives had owned the restaurant since founding it in 2009. La Cuisine earned three Golden Spoon Awards from Florida Trend magazine over six consecutive years during its run, according to Equestrian Living, cementing its reputation as one of Marion County's most decorated French dining destinations.
An Early Closure Opened the Door
La Cuisine had originally planned to close permanently on June 26, 2026, but it shut its doors two weeks early, on June 12, citing unforeseen circumstances, per a report from Ocala-News.com. The abrupt closure cut short planned farewell events for longtime customers, but it also let First Avenue begin renovation work ahead of schedule. The new restaurant will retain the basic layout of the former space, including the physical bar's current location, while expanding the bar itself into the seating area to create what the team calls a higher-energy experience near the entrance.
Gulling is not new to fine dining in downtown Ocala. In September 2022, he joined a local investment group that acquired Mark's Prime Steakhouse on South Magnolia Avenue, an established luxury steakhouse dating to 2002. First Avenue's CEO and managing partner, Michael Mink, previously served as general manager of Mark's Prime under that same ownership group, meaning the two executives are reuniting a partnership rather than starting from scratch.
Venison, Bison and a Focus on Hospitality
The menu is still being finalized, but First Avenue has confirmed it will serve high-end American cuisine featuring dishes like venison tenderloin and bison strip, alongside vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant says it wants to emphasize the welcome, pace of service, craft cocktails, and genuine guest care, with a stated focus on intentional hospitality and elevated experiences without pretension. The concept is framed as an elevated dining experience built around hospitality, cocktails, wine, and value.
Outside the restaurant business, Gulling is the founder and CEO of Verteks Consulting, an Ocala-based IT and telecommunications company he has run in Marion County since 1992 after serving in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War. He has also stepped into a civic role locally: in February 2025, he spearheaded private fundraising among business leaders to fund Ocala's official Fourth of July fireworks show at Tuscawilla Park after the city canceled a drone show contract, according to the Ocala Gazette. Gulling has said he is bullish on downtown Ocala.
Staffing Up Ahead of a Fall Debut
First Avenue posted hiring calls in mid-August for cooks, bartenders, and servers, with plans to begin intensive staff training for several weeks starting in early September, according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page. That training window is meant to produce what the team calls a polished opening experience when the doors do open in October. Before that can happen, the restaurant must pass mandatory sanitation and safety inspections conducted by Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which licenses all public food service establishments completing interior conversions like this one. Gulling has said the team is intentionally avoiding a locked-in public opening date for now, likely a reflection of that inspection timeline.
A Changing Downtown Commercial Strip
First Avenue's arrival lands amid broader upheaval on downtown Ocala's commercial strip. Downtown has recorded at least a dozen business closures alongside half a dozen new openings since 2023, per Ocala-News.com's tracking of the district. Directly next door to the former La Cuisine space, the 18-year-old gourmet market Stella's Modern Pantry recently shuttered its downtown storefront to relocate to Golden Hills Center, marking another significant footprint change on SW 1st Avenue.
For now, First Avenue says it will share updates on its opening date, menu, and reservations through its website and Facebook page as the October target approaches. Whether longtime La Cuisine regulars embrace a new American concept in place of the French bistro fare they knew for 17 years remains an open question the restaurant's early weeks will help answer.
