Once a symbol of Pacific Beach's upscale dining scene, the former The Patio on Lamont has turned into one of San Diego’s most notorious vacant properties - a relic of scandal, stalled plans, and mounting frustration. The restaurant shuttered in 2019 after its founder, Gina Champion-Cain, was arrested for orchestrating a $300 million Ponzi scheme that rocked the city’s hospitality industry. Six years later, the corner lot at 4445 Lamont Street remains a boarded-up shell, now officially listed for sale at $3.5 million, leaving locals to wonder if this coastal gem will ever reclaim its place as a neighborhood hotspot.
The 5,476-square-foot mixed-use property at 4445 Lamont Street, once the subject of redevelopment buzz under San Diego hospitality veteran Joe Vaught of the Verant Group, is now listed for sale. The listing, circulated by Marcus & Millichap this week, describes the property as a "trophy coastal location" situated on a high-visibility corner just steps from Garnet and Grand Avenues.
Offered in a "raw shell" condition, the building includes not only a gutted restaurant space but also two vacant residential units, marketed as additional income generators or redevelopment opportunities. Preliminary plans, according to the listing, include concepts for both a new restaurant and a 29-unit multifamily project.
The space has remained boarded up since The Patio on Lamont closed in late 2019 amid the collapse of founder Gina Champion-Cain’s empire following her arrest for operating a $300 million Ponzi scheme. Champion-Cain was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in 2021 and recently lost another bid to reduce her sentence. The restaurant had been a standout in PB's casual dining scene for nearly a decade, known for its stylish patio, farm-to-table menu, and dog-friendly approach.
In 2021, Vaught - co-founder of the Verant Group, which operates popular local venues like Barleymash, Mavericks Beach Club, and Sandbar - purchased the building for approximately $3 million with plans to partner with Luce Bar & Kitchen co-founder Tony Damato on a second location of the Bay Park staple. At the time, it was anticipated the new Luce Pacific Beach would open by late 2022 or early 2023, bringing a California-inspired menu and elevated neighborhood ambiance to the corner lot.
While Vaught acknowledged that the property is technically “always for sale for the right price,” he emphasized that the goal remains to contribute positively to the neighborhood. “All our projects are always meant to beautify the neighborhoods, city and state,” he added.
The property has been fenced off and inactive for more than three years, drawing concern from locals. The site became associated with reports of vagrancy, vandalism, and most recently, outrage over the alleged removal of a 100-year-old Monterey Cypress tree on the property by a man living in an RV—an act that may have violated city protections for historic trees. Although a Type 47 liquor license remains attached to the site, no construction work has been publicly visible in years.
Pacific Beach residents are left wondering what the future holds for the high-profile lot—and whether it will once again become a vibrant community hub or remain yet another example of stalled redevelopment along the coast. Vaught insists the wheels are turning and that his commitment to the site remains strong. Time will tell whether the vision will finally be realized.
The space has remained boarded up since The Patio on Lamont closed in late 2019 amid the collapse of founder Gina Champion-Cain’s empire following her arrest for operating a $300 million Ponzi scheme. Champion-Cain was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in 2021 and recently lost another bid to reduce her sentence. The restaurant had been a standout in PB's casual dining scene for nearly a decade, known for its stylish patio, farm-to-table menu, and dog-friendly approach.
In 2021, Vaught - co-founder of the Verant Group, which operates popular local venues like Barleymash, Mavericks Beach Club, and Sandbar - purchased the building for approximately $3 million with plans to partner with Luce Bar & Kitchen co-founder Tony Damato on a second location of the Bay Park staple. At the time, it was anticipated the new Luce Pacific Beach would open by late 2022 or early 2023, bringing a California-inspired menu and elevated neighborhood ambiance to the corner lot.
But those plans never materialized. In a recent email, Vaught said the team is still pursuing a vision to build a "lighter side neighborhood restaurant with a few units above." He attributed the holdup to a lengthy zoning change process and noted they are currently working with the California Coastal Commission to move plans forward with the city. “As you know, nothing moves fast in Cali,” he wrote, citing another Verant Group project that took more than four years to complete, likely referring to the recently-unveiled Spill the Beans in Ocean Beach.
While Vaught acknowledged that the property is technically “always for sale for the right price,” he emphasized that the goal remains to contribute positively to the neighborhood. “All our projects are always meant to beautify the neighborhoods, city and state,” he added.
The property has been fenced off and inactive for more than three years, drawing concern from locals. The site became associated with reports of vagrancy, vandalism, and most recently, outrage over the alleged removal of a 100-year-old Monterey Cypress tree on the property by a man living in an RV—an act that may have violated city protections for historic trees. Although a Type 47 liquor license remains attached to the site, no construction work has been publicly visible in years.
Pacific Beach residents are left wondering what the future holds for the high-profile lot—and whether it will once again become a vibrant community hub or remain yet another example of stalled redevelopment along the coast. Vaught insists the wheels are turning and that his commitment to the site remains strong. Time will tell whether the vision will finally be realized.
Originally published on August 3, 2025.
