Fishermen’s Village, one of Southwest Florida’s most iconic waterfront destinations, is now under contract to a local development group with “deep ties” to the Punta Gorda community, announced SVN Commercial Partners officials.
The sale is expected to close this summer following due diligence and closing conditions.
The property encompasses 22 acres including the 142-slip marina adjacent to the wharf-side mall housing multiple shops, restaurants and businesses.
The buyer for the property has not yet been disclosed by SVN Commercial Partners, but Managing Partner Ashley Barrett Bloom of SVN said the transaction includes a local development group that will “bring a vision centered on enhancing the Village’s role as a community gathering place while preserving its unique waterfront character. Fishermen’s Village is more than a real estate asset, it’s a cornerstone of the community.”
Speaking on behalf of SVN Commercial Partners, he added, “We are proud to have facilitated a transaction that keeps ownership local and aligns with a long-term vision that respects the history, culture and economic importance of this asset.”
Bloom said the acquiring group emphasized that its intent is to invest in the property with a “measured community-involved approach.”
Lights at Fishermen’s Village.
Courtesy of Fishermen’s Village
Fishermen’s Village has a rich history in Charlotte County. It stands on the site of the Maud Street City Docks built in the late 1920s to replace the old King Street pier, home to fish packing houses that were integral to the fishing industry of the area.
A fire destroyed its two large fish packing plants in 1939, but packing continued on a smaller scale and starting in the mid-1940s a crab and shrimp packing plant was built on the pier. It led to today’s local shrimp boats and businesses.
After the dock and remaining buildings fell into disrepair, City Council in 1977 decided the property could be better utilized, and in 1980, Fishermen’s Village was built and remains an integral part of the historic community.
“Our goal is to keep what makes Fishermen’s Village special,” said Director Corrie Gates of SVN Commercial Partners.
“Over the past couple of years, our plan to maintain the rich history of this asset has been attained by keeping the restaurants with local operators and now, the buying group based out of Punta Gorda.”
Three more restaurants with local roots will be opening in the future. The week of May 18, Latitude 26 will launch. Totally renovated, it occupies the second-floor space of the former Captain’s Table at the end of the wharf.
Leroy’s Fish Shack, owned by local Lee Richardson, who also owns Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar in downtown Punta Gorda, will occupy the space of the former Village Fish Market in the near future, and Castaways will occupy the former space of Harpoon Harry’s on the first floor, beneath Latitude 26.
The Islands restaurant, owned by local resident Kurt Brown, opened in February. It occupies the former space of The Pier restaurant.
Gates said the development group plans to work closely with local stakeholders, tenants and city leadership.
The pending transaction is a milestone for the property that has faced significant challenges in recent years, beginning with an earlier company whose principal encountered legal problems and filed for bankruptcy protection. Later, wind damage from Hurricane Ian and then rising waters from Hurricane Milton in early October 2024 causing electrical damages to shops, thwarted a sale that attracted interest from some 50 would-be buyers three months earlier.
Today, Fishermen’s Village stands as a major tourist destination in Southwest Florida. American Cruise Lines ships anchored in Charlotte Harbor ferry passengers to the Village twice a week as part of their Florida itinerary.