The 3,854-square-foot building, now described by some as "sloppily" boarded up, has sat dormant for over five years, becoming a gathering spot for transients and drawing complaints about its deteriorating state. The tree-cutting incident, reported by an Instagram follower and detailed on a Reddit post on r/SanDiegan, has heightened local discontent, as the Monterey Cypress - a species known for its longevity and often planted in coastal areas like Pacific Beach - holds historical significance in the neighborhood. San Diego’s municipal code prohibits the removal of protected trees without a permit, raising questions about potential legal violations, though no official investigation has been confirmed.
In March 2022, we reported that Joe Vaught, a co-founder of the Verant Group, had purchased the building for approximately $3 million in 2021, following the closure of The Patio on Lamont in late 2019. The restaurant shuttered after Gina Champion-Cain was arrested in August 2019 for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme involving fake liquor license loans, defrauding investors of $300 million. She pleaded guilty in July 2019 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in March 2021. Champion-Cain has since sought to reduce her sentence, citing her cooperation with authorities, health issues and "horrific" sexual abuse, but her motions have been denied as recently as January 2025, according to federal court records.
While the Lamont Street property remains in limbo, Champion-Cain's other former restaurant properties in San Diego have been repurposed by new owners. The Patio on Goldfinch in Mission Hills has been transformed into a second location of La Puerta, a popular Mexican restaurant known for its tacos and margaritas, which opened its doors in 2021. Fireside by The Patio in Liberty Station became The Presley, a cocktail bar and eatery that operated from 2020 until its closure in late 2024. Saska’s Steakhouse in Mission Beach, another Champion-Cain venture that was once San Diego's longest running steakhouse, was rebranded as Moe’s in 2022, continuing to serve the neighborhood with updated classics like bone-in ribeye and wedge salads.
Vaught, whose Verant Group operates popular San Diego establishments like Barleymash, The Smoking Gun, Tavern at the Beach, Spill The Beans, Sandbar, and Mavericks Beach Club, initially planned to partner with his longtime friend and neighbor Tony Damato to open a second location of Bay Park’s Luce Bar & Kitchen at the site, with an anticipated opening in late 2022 or early 2023. The new Luce was set to offer California cuisine in a casual yet sophisticated setting, mirroring its Bay Park counterpart at1959 Morena Boulevard, which opened in 2012. However, more than two years after the projected opening, the property remains undeveloped, with no construction activity observed despite the active Type-47 liquor license in Vaught's name, which allows for on-site alcohol sales and consumption.
The Verant Group, founded by Vaught, Eric Lingenfelder, and Mark Cirillo in 2003, has a strong presence in San Diego’s hospitality scene, managing over a dozen venues that cater to diverse crowds, from the Gaslamp District to coastal neighborhoods. However, its handling of the Lamont Street property has drawn scrutiny. Outreach for comment to Vaught went unanswered, leaving residents and observers questioning the future of the space.
The Patio on Lamont, which opened in November 2012, was a trailblazer in Pacific Beach, offering an upscale alternative to the area's typical sports bars and beach dives. It featured an open-aired patio with a living green wall, a fireplace, and a menu of eclectic farm-to-table dishes. The restaurant was also a pioneer in pet-friendly dining, with a dedicated dog menu that included items like unseasoned chicken breast, making it a favorite for locals and their pets. Its closure left a significant void in the community, and the site's current state - marked by neglect and reported vagrancy - has only intensified that loss.
Pacific Beach has faced ongoing challenges with urban blight in recent years, with several vacant properties along Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard also attracting transients and graffiti, according to a 2024 report by the Pacific Beach Planning Group. The situation at 4445 Lamont Street mirrors these broader issues, highlighting the need for active development or interim measures to prevent further deterioration. For now, the future of this once-iconic space remains uncertain, as locals await clarity on Vaught’s plans and whether the property can reclaim its role as a community cornerstone.
