Dan's Papers - April 11, 2008 -

The Seafood Shop has been located at 356 Montauk Highway in Wainscott for the last 36 years. Founded in 1972 by East Hampton schoolteachers John Haessler and Bob Wilford, the Seafood Shop has always been a traditional favorite place of locals to purchase lobsters, fish, chowders and take-out.

In 1987, a year after graduating from Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, Colin Matcher started working for Haessler and Wilford at The Seafood Shop. "John was like a second father to me," recalled Matcher, who in 2000 purchased the business, although Haessler still owns the 7,500-square-foot building. Matcher likes to think of the business transaction as a father handing down the business to a son.

Besides selling fresh seafood, preparing daily soups on the premises and making lunch and dinner right in front of the customers, The Seafood Shop is famous for its customized events, such as clambakes, shore bakes, Caribbean themed events, Southwestern themed events and barbecue. The shop's mantra is "You chill, we grill."

Last March, in the midst of moving historic buildings from her Further Lane property to East Hampton Town Hall, Adelaide de Menil hired Matcher to prepare lobsters for 55 people at her home. "Where do you find corn in March for 55 people on such short notice?" Matcher asked. But he did. The next day de Menil called and said how wonderful everything tasted, and asked him to come back the next night and do it again for 77 guests.

Catering by The Seafood Shop is available from Montauk to Manhattan, or as Matcher says, "Surf to turf and everywhere in between." Along with catering upscale parties and weddings at vineyards or private homes on both the North and South Fork, The Seafood Shop is known for serving regular customers like 96-year-old Bud Levinson and Andre Elkon, who Matcher believes may have been The Seafood Shop's first customer back in 1972. Many different varieties of the fresh seafood is available at the shop, along with homemade soups that so many Hamptonites purchase on a regular basis.

Matcher prides himself on being the creator of the Polar Bear Plunge on Beach Lane in Wainscott. He said, "It's one of the first, if not the first, of its kind. We raise money for charity, but mainly Phoenix House." He also credits his staff for the continuous success with sales each year since he took over in 2000. He moved the lobster tank to create better sight lines and added an assortment of fresh and local vegetables. He explained that changes are always minor because the business is successful as it is. As a reminder, the parking lot at The Seafood Shop is covered with the clamshells the employees have shucked through the years.

The Seafood Shop is located at 356 Montauk Highway in Wainscott. Open seven days a week year-round. During the off-season the shop is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 8 p.m. during the summer season. The takeout menu is extensive and is available at www.theseafoodshop.com. Call 631-537-0633.