Delve into the story of Crabby Bills St Pete, a celebrated seafood destination, and you uncover a rich family legacy rooted in the love of the sea. The journey began with Bill Loder and his wife Dolores, passionate seafood enthusiasts from New Jersey, who transformed their passion into a thriving family business that eventually reached the sunny shores of Florida.
The Loders’ seafood journey started in 1954 near Philadelphia, specializing in blue crabs and running a small seafood spot. Their dedication to freshness led them to frequent trips to the Jersey shore, Delaware, and Maryland, ensuring top-quality catches for their community.
In 1968, Florida beckoned, and the Loders established their seafood haven in Madeira Beach. Expanding beyond blue crabs, they ventured into fishing, clamming, and statewide seafood distribution, laying the groundwork for what would become Crabby Bills St Pete and more.
1975 marked the opening of Captain Bill’s Beach Kitchen, a place where family recipes and fresh seafood came together. Mom’s cooking, Dad’s oyster shucking, and the kids’ involvement created a true family atmosphere, a precursor to the family-centric experience found at Crabby Bills St Pete today.
After years of mobile seafood ventures, the family settled in Indian Rocks Beach, launching the Original Crabby Bill’s on April 28th, 1983. Transforming a former hotdog stand into the Fish Market, Crabby Bill’s quickly became a Tampa Bay seafood staple, renowned for its fresh offerings.
Matt Loder, Sr., recalls the early days and his father’s innovative approach, even without a proper sign, using a truck for branding. Six months later, expansion followed, and in 1987, they secured the location that is now the iconic Crabby Bill’s, a testament to their growing success and paving the way for establishments like Crabby Bills St Pete.
The name “Crabby Bill’s” originated after Captain Bill’s closed in 1982. Daughter Eleanor suggested the name, playing on Bill’s personality and their love for crabs. This catchy and memorable name became the cornerstone of their brand, now synonymous with quality seafood across multiple locations, including Crabby Bills St Pete.
Crabby Bill’s evolved from a small Gulf Bivd spot into a family of brands, including Crabby Gifts, Jake’s Coastal Cantina, and Crabby Bill’s St. Pete Beach, among others. For over four decades, they’ve been serving fresh Florida seafood in Tampa Bay, bringing their family recipes and dedication to quality to each location, including the popular Crabby Bills St Pete.
Crabby Bills St Pete stands as a testament to the Loder family’s enduring passion for seafood and their commitment to quality. From humble beginnings in New Jersey to becoming a beloved name on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crabby Bill’s continues to offer a taste of fresh, family-style seafood for locals and visitors alike, especially at their prominent St. Pete Beach location, ensuring the legacy of Crabby Bills St Pete thrives for years to come.
