Dean’s South of the Border finds buyer after 30-year run in Punta Gorda

It didn’t take long for a buyer to emerge after owners Dean and Sandy Stainton closed their iconic Dean’s South of the Border restaurant on July 6 after more than 30 years in business in Punta Gorda.

Prior to the closing, the Staintons said they intended to sell the business and hoped the buyer would maintain the restaurant’s presence in the community. On July 24, Dean Stainton confirmed a sale is in progress and still under a nondisclosure agreement. He said the new ownership would be announced in the coming week.

With an asking price of $3.5 million, the sale includes the business name, furniture, fixtures and equipment, a full liquor license, social media pages, vendor contacts and the 0.51-acre paved parking lot across the alley from the rear of the restaurant and the Wyvern Hotel, with spaces for about 60 vehicles.

The 5,813-square foot restaurant sits on 0.23 acres in Punta Gorda’s Traditional Downtown Core zoning district, within walking distance of Laishley Park, the Peace River waterfront, nearby hotels and Marion Avenue businesses.

Dean’s South of the Border first opened in 1992 and became a local landmark long before the city’s post-Hurricane Charley redevelopment in 2004. Known for its Tex-Mex menu, full bar, karaoke, live music and special events, the restaurant attracted both residents and visitors.

Dean’s endured several hurricanes and economic changes. The original restaurant, housed in a 1907 building, was destroyed by Hurricane Charley. The only salvaged feature was a 13,000-pound fireplace. The Staintons moved it by crane to a renovated 1947 structure they purchased nearby, where it became the focal point of the reimagined Dean’s South of the Border. Pine beams from the old building also were incorporated into the new design.

Earlier this summer, the Staintons announced it was time for them to retire and enjoy time with family. “We’ve been honored to serve you, laugh with you and grow with you,” the family wrote in a farewell message on social media. “You’ve given us 30 years of memories we’ll carry forever.”

The announcement of the closure drew hundreds of reactions from longtime patrons. Many shared their sadness, while others expressed hope for the restaurant’s future. On July 22, a Facebook post from Dean’s confirmed a buyer had been found. The news was met with enthusiasm and optimism about the restaurant’s eventual reopening.

Margeaux and Hunter McCarthy of SVN Commercial Partners are handling the listing. Margeaux McCarthy noted a recent traffic study showed about 30,000 vehicles pass by the restaurant daily. She said the sellers would be open to partial financing for the right buyer.

In addition to Dean’s South of the Border, the Staintons also owned Hurricane Charley’s Sushi, Raw Bar and Grill, which was demolished after Hurricane Idalia due to excessive flood damages. It shared an adjoining wall with the now-demolished Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites on West Retta Esplanade.

Despite temporary closures due to recent hurricanes, including Idalia, Helene and Milton, Dean’s South of the Border consistently reopened with little to no damage. Its resilience, coupled with continued community support, allowed the restaurant to thrive amid adversity.

“For three decades, you’ve welcomed us into your lives — celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, quiet mornings and countless meals in between,” their social media post read. “What began as a dream turned into a family — not just among our staff, but with every one of you who pulled up a chair and shared a moment with us.”