OCEAN CITY – When the Crabcake Factory Seafood House quietly opened its doors Friday, nobody planned on a crowd.
Fifteen minutes later, the restaurant and bar were full.
Through word of mouth, the news of this soft opening spread to locals and tourists alike.
By Saturday night, individuals had to wait an hour to be seated.
Located on 120th Street on the bayside in Ocean City, the Seafood House is the third and newest Crabcake Factory restaurant.
Owner Johnny Brooks and his wife and business partner Krista are now ready for the restaurant’s official opening this Labor Day weekend.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 2, the Seafood House will open for good and will continue to operate year-round, seven days a week.
The newest restaurant is the largest of the three Crabcake Factory operations with the others located on 120th Street oceanside and Fenwick Island on Route 54.
Its newest location is across the street from the original Crabcake Factory, but many people have questioned Brooks’ motives.
“The first thing people would ask is, ‘Why would you do that?’,” Brooks says.
But after turning away up to 100 people every day, Brooks says it was time to consider another location in the immediate area.
After selling their property on 25th Street, Brooks and his wife turned their attention to a much closer space.
With multiple offers from the landlord and manager, Brooks and his wife decided to expand their business into the corner location of the Ocean City Square Shopping Center, where Blockbusters and CVS formerly resided.
With space to seat 200 people comfortably, the restaurant features a large bar, lounge seats, sit-down tables, oversized tables, an outdoor deck, live bands and ample parking.
With construction completed last week, the new restaurant is now open seven days a week.
With new growth, culinary creations and awards, Brooks and his wife look forward to giving the customers what they want while keeping the local restaurant and bar charm they created at the original location.
Although Brooks can envision more opportunities for the new restaurant, such as luncheons and weddings, he and his wife still pride themselves on the neighborhood atmosphere the Seafood House provides.
Subtle touches of the original location are dispersed throughout the new location: the red walls, the specials menu and the sports ambiance to name a few.
Although the summer season is winding down and the lease on the original location is ending, Brooks says the Crabcake Factory will continue to operate in all three locations.
He hopes to renew the lease and continue the legacy he started.
While there are currently no plans for expansion in the near future, Brooks and his wife say they would be interested in a new location near the Delaware beaches if the right location comes along.
The couple, parents to four little girls, attributes the success of the restaurants to the hard work and thoughtfulness of family, friends and staff.
“We are gluttons for punishment,” says John Brooks. “It is in our blood. You either have it in your blood or you don’t. This is all I have to do, so thank goodness it has worked out for me.”
