Dexter’s Thornton Park has been sold to new owners and will reopen under a new brand.

Brian Minkel and Matthew Nicoletti are the proud new owners of the long-running bar/restaurant and former Publix at 808 E. Washington Street [GMap]. The former owners, including Greg Peters of Graffiti Junktion, closed the restaurant suddenly on Monday, October 20.

Editor’s Note: Early reports of the former management having kicked diners out during dinner service seem to have been exaggerated. Which is why we didn’t report on it when the rumor started to be disseminated on Facebook earlier in the week until we had more information to share.

Minkel told Bungalower that he and his business partner, Nicoletti, have already had a meeting with Dexter’s staff to discuss their plans for the space in the hopes of bringing the majority of them back to work as soon as possible.

Changes include some basic equipment updates in the kitchen and some much-needed roof work and basic repairs to the historic building but if all goes according to plan, the new concept should be in a soft-open phase in early November with a grand opening in December before the holidays. Other than those aforementioned changes, Minkel told Bungalower that he doesn’t plan on any really earth-shaking challenges to the menu and offerings.

“I’m hoping that someone who doesn’t know it has different owners will just walk through the door, will see the menu, and decide to stay because it’s not so different than before.” – Brian Minkel

Minkel has been working in the local bar and craft cocktail season for years with stints at The Lodge in Downtown Orlando and most recently at Burton’s Bar, just across the street from the new space. He also lives in the neighborhood and walks to work.

The ownership team is keeping the name of their new chef close to their chest but will release that information in the near future.

The Winter Park and Windermere Dexter’s locations have both recently closed but the Lake Mary restaurant is still operating. The Winter Park team is opening a new concept called “Dexter’s New STandard” in the Ravaudage development on 17-92 bordering Maitland.

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