Stinky's Sold! The Dawson Group To Carry Torch

The Dawson Group, a locally owned and operated restaurant group, has acquired three notable South Walton establishments, including Red Fish Taco, Stinky’s Bait Shack, and Stinky’s Fish Camp, from longtime local, Jim Richard of Word of Mouth Restaurant Group.

Chef/Owner Jim Richard

Owned by Clark and Ashley Beecher, The Dawson Group is known for their various historical establishments in Seaside including Dawson’s Yogurt, It’s Heavenly Shortcakes and Ice Cream, Pickle’s, The Shrimp Shack, and Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs. In the past two years, they have also added Pickle’s Sandbar and The Shrimp Shack Boardwalk Bar to the growing boardwalk on the south side of Scenic 30A. In total, The Dawson Group will operate nine food and beverage establishments on Scenic 30A including four restaurants, three bars, and two dessert concepts.

The Dawson Group Owners Clark and Ashley Beecher with Operating Partners Baron and Courtney Fields

“While our current restaurants are located in the heart of Seaside, we are excited to expand our brand into the West end of 30A,” said Ashley Beecher. 

The Beechers, along with their operating partners Baron and Courtney Fields, plan to continue the many, long-standing traditions of each of Richard’s beloved establishments which include live music, philanthropic efforts, and special menu offerings while elevating each entity with innovative systems, modern concepts, merchandise, and much more.

“We understand the importance of tradition and what each of these restaurants has brought to the community throughout the years,” said Courtney Fields. “We want to continue Jim’s legacy while also incorporating and implementing some of the signature items, systems, and concepts our other restaurants have had great success with throughout the years.”

Over the course of the next year, The Dawson Group is already planning to expand the breakfast offerings at Stinky’s Bait Shack, along with the addition of a brand-new lunch and dinner concept unveiling by 2026. The Bait Shack will remain a hub for live music with plans to continue to host Stinky’s signature Swamp Writer Music Festival that will take place on January 15-19, which pays homage to the regions’ music and is a free, five-day celebration of local talent. The Bait Shack will also be the new host of the Sand Up Comedy Festival benefiting SOWAL Foundation in February.

Many of the well-known menu items created using Richard’s original recipes will remain on the Stinky’s Fish Camp menu, including beignets, biscuits, and the Oyster Log, while new, innovative menu offerings will be added throughout the year. The Dawson Group also plans to feature one of the three restaurants in The Seaside School’s Annual Taste of Race event that kicks off the Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K this February.

Red Fish Taco will continue to be the area’s leading taco dealer with fresh seafood, succulent meats, and margaritas, and a hub for local, live music. Originally from Texas, both the Beechers and Fields’ are excited to introduce their take on “TexMex” flare which is hard to find in the area. Additionally, Red Fish Taco is currently undergoing a renovation with Tracery Interiors to update finishes and fixtures so locals and visitors alike can expect a fresh, new look of the beloved taco restaurant. Red Fish Taco is also proud to once again be one of the venues of the 30A Songwriters Festival benefiting the Cultural Arts Alliance. New this year, The Dawson Group will also introduce Pickle’s as a new venue to the music festival.

“Coming from Texas, we hope to fill the niche of TexMex cuisine along 30A,” said Courtney Fields. “We plan to take Red Fish Taco’s original menu offerings and build upon them with a TexMex flare to create a unique dining experience along 30A.”

Kevin Martindale will continue to serve as the concept leader of The Dawson Group locations in Seaside.

Matt Dunn will oversee operations as the concept leader over the newly acquired locations on the West end.

The acquisition of the three brands is a historical transition for the local community. Each has a long-standing, loyal customer base that was organically built throughout the years through Richard and his team. To complement this, the Beechers and Fields have a plethora of previous experience maintaining and honoring the original concepts of their restaurants after acquiring The Dawson Group in 2020 from Bill and Heavenly Dawson after 32 years.

Heavenly & Bill Dawson in Seaside (2012)

“Many of these owners are first-generation 30A locals that built and created these establishments when the area was still developing decades ago,” said Ashley Beecher. “Now, they are transitioning into a new chapter of life, and they take it very seriously when considering who they are going to sell and leave this legacy to. It is an honor that they trust The Dawson Group to carry the torch.”

To learn more about The Dawson Group and their portfolio of restaurants, bars, and eateries, visit www.dawsongroupseasidefl.com.

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Jim Richard (left) & Todd Misener (right)

Growing up in Lafayette Louisiana, Chef/Owner Jim Richard’s family heritage in the restaurant industry spans four generations. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1988, he established Word of Mouth Restaurant Group inc. and Blue Mountain Catering Co. in 1998. In 2002 he acquired his first restaurant, The Lake Place Restaurant, in Santa Rosa Beach Fl. The Lake Place was destroyed by a devastating fire and the location was designed and rebuilt by Chef Richard as Stinky’s Fish Camp. Stinky’s was originally conceived as the alter ego to the “white tablecloth” dining hot spot and has grown to be a thriving destination for locals and tourists alike.

Corporate Chef/ Partner Todd Misener grew up working in a small family restaurant in Michigan. After graduating with honors from the Culinary Institute of America he worked with Master Chef Jack Shoop for 17 years before joining Word of Mouth Restaurant Group in 2007 to open Stinky’s Fish Camp. He and Chef Richard share the love for the craft of cooking, fine cuisine and the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of the dining experience.

From Kelli Misener: Todd and I are under contract to purchase Bogeys in DeFuniak Springs!  While Todd will be staying on with the Dawson Group for a while to ensure a smooth transition with the new owners of Stinky’s and Red Fish Taco, he will be the Chef of this venture, joining us full-time at a later date. We are going to keep all the other details a secret for now, but trust that it’s going to be AWESOME!  It’s going to be FUN!  We are going to have GREAT food, cocktails, and wine!  AND we are VERY good at celebrating our community any chance we get!  We are in love with our new home of DeFuniak Springs and look forward serving all of our friends and new neighbors.