Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant

On February 10, 1938, two partners, Tony Seamon and Ted Garner, opened a fresh seafood market on the Morehead City waterfront. A small building had been rented from Charles S. Wallace for $5.50 per week with the understanding that no beer or wine would be sold and that the premises be kept clean and neat. The name "Sanitary Fish Market" was chosen by the partners to project their compliance. "Captain Ted" operated the fish market and "Captain Tony" operated a party boat, often cooking and serving some of the day's catch to his parties. They began urging him to cook his seafood ashore. In the Spring of 1938 twelve stools were set up at a counter in the market, a two-burner kerosene stove was installed and the first seafood restaurant on the Morehead City waterfront was in business! Soon afterward, word spread and customers lined up at the front door awaiting their turn to sample the fresh seafood.