I AM DESTIN - Dewey Destin
What is your hometown, what brought you to the EMERALD
COAST and how long have you been here?
I was born and raised in Destin, Florida. I am a 5th generation
Floridian by my great grandfather, Leonard Destin, the founder of
Destin. I grew up on the back of my father’s commercial fi shing boat
just as his dad did before him. I left Destin only briefl y to attend college
at Auburn University.
What is your profession and give a brief description of what
you do.
I am a restaurant owner and managing partner of Dewey Destin’s
Harborside Seafood Restaurant. When I am not buying fresh seafood
for our restaurants I have the privilege of serving as an Okaloosa
County School Board Member as well as serving as a director on the
board of the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Prior to serving on the
school board I was a member of the Destin City Council for over 20
years.
What lead you to choose this profession?
I operated my commercial fi shing boat for over 25 years which gave
me the experience and contacts to procure some of the freshest seafood
from the Gulf which I sold wholesale. After being put out of the
commercial fi shing business I was able to transition into the retail sale
of seafood and operation of seafood restaurants.
What do you like best about Destin? What makes it unique?
It’s the common thread that attracts all people to this area. The raw and
natural beauty of our emerald green waters and snow-white sand make
this place unique.
Three words that best describe you.
Hard-work, Perseverance, Service
Favorite things you like about Destin.
Some of my most cherished experiences have been traveling out of East
Pass as the sun rises, anchoring offshore while waiting for schools of
fi sh to arrive and the satisfaction of bringing home a good catch.
Finish this statement, I AM DESTIN because…
I am Destin because the kind-hearted and hardworking community
shaped me in to the man that I am today.
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