D&M Seafood closes down with hints about the future

By Jan Warren

Correspondent

Bayside

There are no more $5.95 lunches at D&M Seafood.

After 19 years at the intersection of Independence Boulevard and Pleasure House Road, the popular restaurant and seafood market closed on Labor Day.

"We've no regrets, but it's a sentimental time for our family," said Harold Davis, who along with his brother, Mike, owns the business started by their parents in 1962.

They're confident that Dave and Katie Davis, now deceased, would approve the decision to close and sell the 2.4 acres of prime real estate property.

"Hey, CVS Pharmacy made us an offer of $5 million. We couldn't turn it down," said Mike Davis. Construction of the CVS was scheduled to start this past week, and the store should open within 12 months.

The business started as a strictly mom-and-pop operation. Its success was the result of a lot of hard work and a little chutzpah.

Forty-four years ago, Dave and Katie Davis started a small boat rental service at Poole's Fishing Center, on Shore Drive - now the location of Dockside Marina.

One day a man asked Davis if he would sell him a basket of crabs sitting on the pier. That unexpected sale, got Davis thinking and marked the start of the D&M Seafood business.

From 1980 to 1990, the business was the biggest buyer of seafood in the area with seven retail markets.

"Our watermen were loyal to us because they knew we'd give them the best prices around," Mike Davis said.

Their father taught his sons to say "yes" to every opportunity. Mike Davis explained it this way.

"One time we got a call to cater a big company picnic. We didn't know anything about catering, but my dad said 'yes.' When he hung up the phone he told me I'd better learn the catering business - fast."

Building the business meant working every day and often 16-hour days. Mike Kennedy, an 18-year employee, learned the Davis work ethic the hard way.

"When I was hired, they worked me 13 days straight. I thought they wanted to get rid of me," Kennedy said. "Finally I told Harold I needed one day off. It was OK. Harold was so busy, he'd forgotten."

Today, Kennedy says he's "part of the family."

In recent years, the brothers closed the small markets to concentrate on the operation at Independence Boulevard, which had grown to include the restaurant with capacity for 125, the catering business, a seafood market and the Bayside Gas and Food Mart.

Audra Claffey, daughter of Mike Davis, is the only one of her generation to make the family business a career.

"Audra's done it all from pumping gas, to cooking, to waiting on tables. She's our right hand," said her father.

The other Davis children worked in the business through high school, Harold Davis said.

"They were there when we needed them," he said, " but we want our kids to find their own thing in life. "

Claffey said the closing has brought some teary goodbyes.

"The customers, the watermen, the distributors, we've created a huge family," she said. The brothers, Mike, 57, and Harold, 58, live just a few blocks from each other in Thalia Manor - but they're not going to become homebodies.

"I think retirement would be the worst thing that could happen to us," Mike Davis said.

Does that mean they're thinking of opening D&M Seafood in a new location?

With that question, the brothers looked at each other and smiled

Yes, they will reopen the catering business. They also may open a smaller version of the seafood restaurant. But the location and timing is uncertain.

The Davis family asks customers to watch the newspaper for an announcement of their plans, and to stay in touch by calling 464-3771.

"We already miss y'all," Harold Davis said.

Jan Warren, janwarren@wcbeach.com