SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The new Wharf Casual Seafood at 40690 US Hwy 280 in Sylacauga celebrated the opening of their eleventh location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
After opening to rave review for their food offerings and service, the Wharf Casual Seafood will operate Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“We were fortunate to attract what I consider our best opening staff at any of our locations,” explained Stephen Duggar, a member of the founding family of the restaurant chain. “We started back in 1971 as Gulf King Seafood Corporation, growing to become one of the largest and most successful wholesale seafood businesses in the world with over 13,000 clients.”
Three back-to-back, mid-80s hurricanes wiped out everything the family had worked for, and all was lost except their love for each other and their will to survive.
However, they used all the tools in their tackle box – seafood knowledge, a keen business sense, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit – to open The Wharf Seafood restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida in 1986.
Over the years, Stephen said his family combined their seafood and culinary experience to create what is now known as Wharf Casual Seafood, the latest of which became official Wednesday in Sylacauga.
“We love operating in smaller communities like Sylacauga, because that allows us to make an impact with a tight-knit community and its community partners,” Duggar said. “It ignites our passion when we are accepted and appreciated as one of those partners in the community.”
In September of 2015, Noah J. Griggs, Jr., a restaurant industry veteran, joined the Duggar family as a partner.
“That partnership proved to be a perfect fit for our commitment to serving great seafood and building lasting relationships with people from all walks of life. We’re truly happy to be here in Sylacauga,” added Stephen.