A massive structural restoration and branding overhaul is about to reshape the harbor front culinary landscape in Charlotte County. Locally owned Tidewater Hospitality Group has finalized its ambitious dual-concept redevelopment at the tip of the commercial wharf, introducing two spectacular avenues for Fishermen’s Village waterfront dining.
Taking over the historic footprints previously occupied by long-standing destination anchors Harpoon Harry’s and The Captain’s Table, the hospitality group will debut Latitude 26° on June 15, 2026, quickly followed by the launch of Castaways on June 29, 2026. While sharing the same physical waterfront address, each tier of the completely rebuilt facility is engineered to deliver a distinct social atmosphere and menu personality tailored to different coastal lifestyles.
Exceptional Features of Fishermen’s Village Waterfront Dining
The core philosophy governing this expansion of Fishermen’s Village waterfront dining relies on giving boaters, neighborhood families, and regional visitors a premium choice in how they experience Charlotte Harbor.
Latitude 26°: Elevated Coastal Gastronomy
Perched securely on the second level of the wharf structure, Latitude 26° introduces a polished coastal dining environment. Accessible by both an expansive open staircase and an upgraded guest elevator, the dining room has been framed with floor-to-ceiling glass paneling to offer unobstructed, panoramic views of the water while keeping guests in a fully enclosed, climate-controlled environment.
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The Culinary Program: The kitchen will focus on high-end local seafood execution, hand-cut artisan steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, and a deeply curated wine cellar.
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The Guest Philosophy: “We want guests to feel equally comfortable stopping in after a day on the boat, enjoying a sunset dinner overlooking Charlotte Harbor or spending a night out with friends and family,” stated Dave Beers, Chief Operating Officer of Tidewater Hospitality Group.
Castaways: High-Energy Dockside Bar & Grill
Sprawling across the first-floor deck directly below Latitude 26°, Castaways transitions the property into a high-volume, casual social hub. Engineered to embrace the open-air coastal lifestyle, this dockside layout reflects the continuous boat traffic and boardwalk activity defining the pier.
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The Casual Program: The menu features traditional boat-side favorites, burgers, and handhelds paired with frozen signature cocktails—including their flagship tropical drink, the Shipwreck.
Complete Structural Overhauls for Fishermen’s Village Waterfront Dining
The operational roadmap for these updated entries to Fishermen’s Village waterfront dining took shape when local business leader Lew Bennett identified the vacant real estate opportunity and partnered with Dave Beers to construct the initial concept layouts. As the business plan matured, financial planner Michael Landsberg—a principal at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management—joined the venture as a primary partner. The day-to-day operations are directed by a highly experienced, 11-member internal leadership group, including Hospitality Operations Director Joyce Beers and Culinary Operations Director Brent Morgan.
While the exterior dock networks were repaired as part of the commercial village’s macro-level hurricane recovery initiatives, the internal restaurant envelopes required complete structural remediation. Rather than executing a simple cosmetic refresh, Tidewater Hospitality Group stripped both levels entirely down to the raw concrete shell. Over months of intensive site building, contractors completely replaced and upgraded the core utilities:
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Commercial Kitchens: Installing dual, high-capacity restaurant lines with modern ventilation hoods and grease traps.
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Infrastructure Systems: Rewiring the entire electrical array, running new plumbing networks, and installing high-efficiency commercial HVAC units.
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Safety & Logistics: Integrating contemporary point-of-sale systems, modern reservation software, and code-compliant emergency fire suppressors.
This thorough construction approach ensures that the new facility can support an expansive opening team of more than 300 newly hired hospitality workers, injecting vital job opportunities directly back into the local economy.
Standardized Operational Calendars for Harbor Visitors
To streamline visit planning for both lunch crowds and evening sunset seekers, both spaces will maintain mirrored operating schedules throughout the week.
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Sunday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
By respecting the deep decades-long history of the village spaces while simultaneously modernizing the mechanical and culinary infrastructure, the ownership team has created a resilient hospitality model. The combined presence of a casual dockside grill and an upscale seafood house guarantees that this iconic destination will continue to serve as a vital anchor for commerce near the Gulf region for generations to come.
