Pine Avenue Antique Mall Opens in Ocala, Reuniting Displaced Vendors

A new chapter for Ocala's antique community began in early September when Pine Avenue Antique Mall opened its doors at 510 S. Pine Avenue in the Pine Plaza, giving dozens of local vendors a fresh start after losing their space at Diggers Antique Mall.

The 8,000-square-foot facility held a soft opening on September 3 and welcomed a wave of local shoppers and antique enthusiasts. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with owners reporting a steady stream of community support throughout the opening week.

"We're grateful for the community's patience and encouragement," said manager Michael Guest, noting that initial hiccups with price tag scanners required staff to enter sales manually during the first few days.

The Story Behind the Opening

The new venture was spearheaded by married couple Ken Kisner and Richard Rice, alongside Guest, after the permanent closure of Diggers Antique Mall in late July left dozens of longtime local vendors without a venue. Kisner and Rice previously owned an antique store in Georgia before moving to Ocala with plans to retire. When Diggers wound down operations at its former location on North Pine Avenue, the couple decided to step up and open a fresh space to keep the vendor community together under one roof.

The Diggers property at 1811 N Pine Avenue was sold for $1.11 million prior to its closure.

Grand Opening Celebration

The business is preparing for an official grand opening festival set for Saturday, October 10. The two-day event will feature special giveaways, prize raffles, local food, and thousands of unique antiques, vintage china sets, vinyl record collections, classic furniture, and rare collectibles displayed across the facility's extensive vendor spaces.

Pine Avenue Antique Mall is open six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Growing Antique Scene in Marion County

Pine Avenue Antique Mall is one of two antique shops that opened in September, joining the Silver Springs Vintage Warehouse in east Ocala. Both businesses reflect a growing trend of vintage and antique shopping interest across Marion County. The reopening of these vendor spaces means collectors and treasure hunters once again have multiple destinations across the county to explore.

The antique community in Ocala has deep roots, with many longtime collectors and dealers who have built relationships over years of attending shows and markets. When Diggers closed, many worried the vendor community might scatter permanently. The new Pine Avenue Antique Mall gives these sellers a central location to continue serving customers who have followed them for years.

For collectors looking for specific items, the mall's vendor setup offers variety - each booth is independently operated, meaning shoppers can find everything from mid-century modern furniture to rare coins under one roof. The diverse mix attracts both serious collectors and casual browsers looking for unique finds. Local residents have responded enthusiastically, with many taking to social media to share their finds and recommend the new space to friends.

Visitors planning a trip to Pine Avenue Antique Mall can expect free parking in the Pine Plaza lot, making it convenient for those hauling larger items. The Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule accommodates both weekend treasure hunters and weekday shoppers who prefer a quieter browsing experience. Whether you are searching for a specific vintage piece or simply enjoying a Saturday morning browsing through history, the new mall offers a community-focused alternative to online shopping.

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