According to recent public records, a new upscale restaurant is soon coming to 214 S Oak Ave in Sanford.
A 2022 article in Historic Downtown Sanford states that “Keely’s Garage” will be “an upscale dining experience focused on coastal cuisine and named after the Buick dealership that was the building’s original 1918 occupant.”
Owner Mark Nation’s project will be “a sweeping vision that entails a remodel of the existing building, the addition of a two-story expansion for indoor and outdoor seating, and two catwalks connecting the restaurant and mezzanine-level event center to a distillery.”
“Keely’s Garage will be aimed at restoring, repurposing, and remembering a historic block and over 100-year-old building, while continuing to revitalize the west side of Historic Downtown Sanford.”
“Wait until you see the reveal,” said Nation. “We rebuilt the arch, fortified the brick. I want to restore it to the original and rebrick the front. We spent so much time and money not just to toe the line re: preservation, to make this into a thing of beauty, the original.”
“As for the restaurant itself, the entirety of the second floor will be outdoor seating, overlooking a stage that will be surrounded by a spacious 24-foot-wide open green area,” the write-up continues.
“The lower level of the expansion will provide twenty feet of indoor seating, with a ten-foot outdoor seating area facing the green area and stage from ground level. Adjacent and above each side of the stage, the mezzanine will have enclosed catwalks on each end, spanning the distance over the green area and taking guests to the two-story distillery which will front on 2nd St. It will also soon have the ‘best view in town,’ with a spacious rooftop bar being placed on the new building that will occupy the north side of the lot, fronting on 2nd Street. With a glass wall around the perimeter, you will be able to “see people up there from first street.”
“This concept will be something that you’ll want to come and see,” said Nation. “(Keely’s Garage) is a destination location that will draw from DeLand to Orlando and even further. Over 12,000 square feet of venue space, a rooftop bar, and lots of green space and room to enjoy yourself.”
No opening date has been announced.
