Showalter's Seafood Market and Carryout in Plain Twp. is all about family
Showalter’s Seafood Market and Carryout opened last August. For almost a year, the market has been selling a variety of fresh fish, fried fish and sides in Plain Township.
Set back off the street on Whipple Avenue NW behind Grinder’s Above & Beyond, it’s a bit difficult to find the market, but that hasn’t hindered business. The storefront, with a red and white sign featuring a lighthouse and large photos of seafood, welcomes guests for carryout orders.
Open the doors and you’re greeted by bright blue walls with fish and water-themed decor and cases full of fresh fish.
I caught up with manager Devonna Cutts to learn more about the seafood market. Owned by Cutts' mom, Renee Jones-Showalter, Showalter’s Seafood Market and Carryout is a family business.
The idea for the market came after seeing a need in the community.
“My mom was trying to think of another stream of income, and she wanted to do something that the community needed,” Cutts said. "So with much research, here we are.”
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Just shy of being in business for a year, Cutts said people are finding Showalter’s and business is picking up.
“It definitely has picked up a lot. More and more people have found out about us through word of mouth and social media. With being a new business in the middle of everything going on economically, I think we are doing good,” Cutts said.
Showalter’s Seafood Market and Carryout offers fresh fish and seafood such as halibut, red snapper, salmon, catfish, perch, walleye, shrimp, clams and oysters. Cutts said they also will deep fry fish and shrimp. Also on the menu are sides, including coleslaw, fried okra, fresh-cut French fries, hush puppies, tater tots, onion rings and rolls.
Many menu items have specific names, such as “Rob & Dee’s Famous” Ocean Perch, “Arlene and Van’s Kicking” Shrimp Basket and “Grandma Kay’s” Whiting Dinner, all of which are named for family. Grandparents, uncles, aunts and other family members are honored with foods on the menu named after them.
Cutts said some of the most popular menu items at Showalter’s are the walleye, salmon, cod, catfish, raw shrimp, clams and oysters.
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Looking for something to try? Cutts recommends the orange roughy or a walleye sandwich. “Can't go wrong with either one,” said Cutts.
When asked what her favorite thing about the business was, Cutts said meeting new people and when customers call or come back to let her know they were satisfied with their purchase.
Describing a day at the market, Cutts said it’s “a lot of prep work, from icing the case to ordering products from vendors. It's definitely a lot that goes into the day to day making sure we serve our customers with the best that we can offer.”
The market sources its seafood from a few distributors, including Euclid Fish Company, Blue Ribbon Meats & Seafood and just recently, Sherwood Food Distributors.
“We get deliveries three to four days of week, so if you need it, nine times out of 10, we can get it,” said Cutts. “Our plan is to be around for a long time to serve Stark County with fresh fish and excellent customer service.”
Showalter’s Seafood Market and Carryout is at 3110 Whipple Ave. NW in Plain Township and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with last orders taken for hot food at 4:45 p.m. The kitchen closes at 5 p.m. To order, call 330-639-4215. See the full menu on Showalter’s Seafood Market and Carryout’s Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Plain Township's Showalter's Seafood Market is all about family
