Merrick Seafood Market a family tradition for 25 years
Carrying over their family seafood business from New York, Rich and Joan Santorico opened the doors to Merrick Seafood Market at 1229 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, in 1991, and since then, it’s been a hustling and bustling seafood scene for generations.
The couple’s three daughters, Kerry, Amy and Debra, along with their significant others, took over the business a few years ago, and as the market nears its silver 25th anniversary, patrons can look forward to a week’s worth of extra special celebrations and offers Nov. 1 to 6.
“We are so happy to be celebrating 25 years in business in Cape Coral – and grateful to our many loyal patrons who have frequented us over the years. We’re so thankful for their loyalty. We have quite a few customers who have been coming here for 20-plus years. They’ve become family to us, watched us grow and expand. It’s very special to us and our family,” said Kerry Krieg, co-owner of the business, along with her sisters. “From Nov. 1 to Nov. 6, we’ll be offering a special raffle to all patrons, with 25 $25 gift cards available. Simply make a purchase during that time to enter the drawing. We’ll have the drawing Nov. 6.”
Making a purchase at Merrick Seafood shouldn’t be difficult. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh catches from our own local waters, to specially shipped New England delicacies or the most sought-after Alaskan treasures, Merrick has one of the largest seafood selections around, regularly awarded with Best Seafood Market, Best Seafood Restaurant and Best Caterer titles through multiple contests.
“We just opened up stone-crab season, so we’ve been selling quite a bit of stone crab claws recently,” Krieg said. “We also have fresh, local red grouper, red snapper, oysters, fresh gulf pink shrimp. Many love our New England favorites that are flown in, including fresh cod, steamer clams, Ipswich clams and flounder.”
And, for those who just can’t bring themselves to cook, a wealth of “We Make, You Bake” packages await you at Merrick: a complete meal, seasoned, stuffed and ready for the oven.
“Our full variety of We Make, You Bake meals are very popular, and they’re so easy to prepare. We put everything together; all you have to do is take it home and put it in the oven,” Krieg said. “Some of our patrons’ favorites are the pecan-crusted grouper, coconut macadamia sea bass, crab-stuffed shrimp, and herb-crusted salmon. Some of the meals also include complementing sauces and marinades.”
Krieg is very proud of her family’s business, and eager to share how important it is for family to work together. “This really is a family business – three daughters carrying on the family tradition. My sister, Amy Keen, runs our restaurant, Fish Tale Grill; I run its kitchen; my husband, Patrick, and Amy’s husband, David, run the wholesale side of the business; and sister, Debra Santorico, runs the seafood market.”
Merrick Seafood also offers large catering packages and platters for any occasion, big or small.
Among its recent endeavors includes the opening of Fish Tale Grill, a lovely sit-down eatery serving some of the freshest seafood catches for lunch and dinner. Enjoy anything from salads, baskets and homemade soups to delectably fresh seafood entrees.
“We’re so happy to be celebrating 25 years in business, and looking forward to another 25 years of great service, continued fresh quality seafood, and happy customers,” Krieg saidd.
Hours to Merrick Seafood Market are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Custom, special ordering is available, as well as daily specials, including buy-one-get-ones and “$5 Thursdays.” Please note, the market will be closed Sunday, Oct. 30. For further information, call 239-542-8080, visit MerrickSeafood.com, or find the local seafood market on Facebook.