'Fiesta Shows' Owner To Open Salem Restaurant, Event Space

SALEM, MA — The operator of the Salem Common food court during October for the past 17 years is planning to set up a permanent shop in the Witch City with the planned opening of a restaurant and event space on Derby Street.

The Dean Family, which operates Fiesta Shows at Salisbury Beach, the Topsfield Fair and the Big E, intends to bring "life to the Riverwalk section of Salem" with the new spot in the spring of 2025.

"We have enjoyed our partnership with the City of Salem and its citizens for 17 years," Fiesta Shows CEO E.J. Dean said. "This new opportunity allows us to expand our commitment to the community by providing a welcoming space for locals and tourists alike. We plan to have a meaningful impact, not only in the pub-style comfort food and drinks that we are looking to offer, but bringing life to the Riverwalk section of Salem and how we interact within the community as a whole, much like we have done in Salisbury and Topsfield over the years.

"We are committed to the North Shore community and we are excited to bring our latest venture to life in the form of a restaurant that embodies our values of quality, affordability, and service."

The Dean Family started in the food businesses at Salisbury Beach in the 1920s with permanent food operations now including Hampton Beach and West Springfield.

Dean is also on the founding board of Salisbury Santa's Helpers and is active with nonprofit organizations across the North Shore.

He said he is speaking with industry colleagues to develop the yet-unnamed-restaurant as a "spot for families, friends and food lovers alike."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)