Harpoon Henry's, an established name in Dana Point Harbor's dining scene since 1975, is poised to close its doors on January 28, 2025, signaling a significant turnover in the area. According to a KTLA report, the restaurant's shuttering is part of a sweeping $550 million redevelopment effort that will transform the 52-year-old harbor with new amenities including hotels and additional dining spaces, planned to start in mid-summer 2025.
The news was broken to Harpoon Henry’s staff on November 29 by restaurant founder Robert Mardian, Jr., who also owns nearby Wind & Sea, where employees have been offered positions beginning in January. "We know how much this establishment means to the community, and we encourage everyone to come celebrate the final season with the Harpoon Henry’s team,” Bryon Ward of Dana Point Harbor Partners expressed in a statement obtained by The Orange County Register. The closure precedes the development that aims to bring an improved harbor experience.
On the other hand, Venice's The Rose also announced its imminent closure, with a cease in operations slated for December 15. Over the past 45 years, The Rose has carved a niche within the Venice area. Yet, recent economic challenges have rendered the business model unsustainable, particularly for a chef-driven restaurant of its size and scale, as mentioned in a report by NBC Los Angeles. The management team cited "economic shifts to a downturn in tourism and foot traffic in our neighborhood" as contributing factors.
Harpoon Henry's has stood as a prominent fixture in Dana Point since its inception by Mardian, Jr. three years after opening Wind & Sea. The restaurant, known for Neptunian fare like clam chowder and macadamia nut-crusted mahi-mahi, will be remembered for its waterside dining strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic by an expanded patio, initiatives that pulled the community together according to Dana Point Harbor Partners. The redevelopment project promises structural upgrades and hopes to foster new community spaces and experiences.
In preparation for the upheaval and to mitigate the impact of construction on existing businesses, Dana Point Harbors has pledged efforts to minimize disruption by offering logistics support such as free shuttle service and parking, additional signage, and special event programming, aiming for a smoother transition into the harbor's next chapter.
