has been located at 356 Montauk Highway in Wainscott for the last 41 years. Founded by East Hampton school teachers John Haessler and Bob Wilford in 1972, the Seafood Shop has always been a traditional favorite place to purchase lobsters, fish, chowders and take out for locals.
In 1987, a year after graduating from Pierson High school in Sag Harbor, Colin Matcher, started working for both John Haessler and Bob Wilford at the seafood Shop. “John was like a second father to me,” recalls Colin who in 2000 purchased the business from John Haessler, although Mr. Haessler still own the 7500 sq ft building and property. Colin likes to think of it like a father handing the business off to a son the relationship is that good. Now in 2012, Colin has his own 4 year 10 month old son, Jack, that he and his love of his life ,wife Sharon D’Andrea are very proud of. Colin was born in NYC but spent 7 of his first 8 years in Denmark before moving permanently to Sag Harbor.
Besides selling fresh fish in a shop that never smells like fish plus preparing the soups daily on the premises and making lunch , dinner, meals right in front of the customers ,The Seafood Shop is famous for its customized events, such as Clambakes, Shore Bakes, Caribbean theme events, South West theme events and Barbecue. The mantra is “You chill, we grill.”
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A few years back while in the midst of moving the historic buildings off her land to be donated to the town, Adelaid de Menil called Colin and ask to prepare an event with lobsters for 55 people at her East Hampton estate. Colin recalls, “where do you find corn for 55 on short notice in March,” but he did. The next day Adelaid calls and says how wonderful everything was and asked Colin to comeback that very next night and do it again with lobsters for 77 guests and workers, and even invites Colin. Colin recalls, “And Lobster that March was somewhere between $17 to $20 a pound.” Catering at The Seafood Shop is available from Montauk to Manhattan. Colin likes to say, “Surf to turf and everywhere in between.”
For more information on the catering call (days) 631 537 0633 and nights 631 806 7730.
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There is even Fed Ex service, something they do a lot. They have printed up menu’s that say. “The world is our oyster.”
Besides doing the upscale parties for weddings at vineyards or large private homes on both the North and South Fork’s, The Seafood shop has also been serving regular customers like Andre Elkon, who Colin believes may be The Seafood Shop’s original customer back in 1972.
In the back where there is additional parking is also a loading dock where The Seafood Shop ships fresh fish to the Fulton Seafood Market in New York City. Every day fresh caught fish is brought from the fishing docks to the loading dock. Many different varieties of the freshly caught fish is on display in the shop. So are the many freshly made soups so many in the Hamptons purchase on a regular basis. I myself love their lobster rolls and daily soups.
The takeout menu is extensive and is available on line at the website www.theseafoodshop.com and can be ordered by dialing 631-537-0633 there are no deliveries.
To keep his good humor up Colin talks “fish stories” with longtime friends Bob Valenti and John Gossman Jr. He prides himself on being the creator of the Jan 1, Polar Bears Plunge ,off Beach Lane in Wainscott. He calls its, “One of the first if not the first of its kind, we raise money for charity mainly Phoenix House.”
Colin who once was an employee himself credits his staff for his continuous success with sales increasing every year since he took over in 2000. He moved the lobster tank to create better sight lines and added an assortment of very fresh and usually local vegetables. He said basically all changes are always minor because the business is successful as is. He mentioned his staff as being well trained and really good people, “an honor to work with.”
The parking lot is covered with all the clam shell the place has shucked through the years. The Seafood Shop is opened seven days a week all year round. Off season they are opened 8 am to 6 pm. In the season they remain open until 8 pm. Over the years Peter Boyle, the late Peter Jennings and late Roy Scheider would stop in. Colin expressed sorrow at Roy’s passing having seen him just before he passed. If you haven’t partaken in the tradition of stopping at The Seafood Shop ,stop in soon.
