Details are sparse, but Frank's Seafood in Jessup may have closed.
This would be a bummer. Frank's was a retail store inside the wholesale seafood market. They were an invaluable place for fish, seafood and crabs. I got crabs there last month.
Again I don't know details. But the phone want answered this afternoon, and the Twitter and Facebook pages seem to be deleted. A friend of mine who knows that market says Frank's has closed. (Update: I have heard this from two other people as well, including Nicole who put a comment on the HowChow Facebook page saying a guard at the seafood market said they have been closed since Monday.)
Does anyone know details? I would love to be wrong. I assume that Frank's was hurt when Wegmans and Whole Foods opened big retail fish counters in Columbia. I love both of those places, but I recognize that they are changing the landscaping and taking business from businesses that welcomed me when I moved to Howard County.
Love the blog and had to add my two cents. Headed to Frank's on Thursday for some live crabs and noticed all web contacts where down (Twitter, FB and personal). As I pulled up to the guard gate I noticed the store looked dark...eek. Guard stated that they did inventory on Monday and have been closed since. I hope they return... Franks was the best....so fresh.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if something unexpected happened? When I was there about 2 wks ago everything seemed to be operating as normal.
ReplyDeleteI have been going to Franks for more years than I care to admit! I hope all is well with the owners and staff.
I don't know if there would be any closing that would be more devastating to me. My father was buying crabs at Frank's when they were downtown, and it is the only place I buy seafood, let alone crabs. I love Wegmans, but they don't have Maryland crab meat, and that's the only kind to buy. I always know that the seafood at Frank's is the freshest and best. And the people there treat everyone so great. I, too, hope the best for the family!
ReplyDeleteThe proposition that Wegman's and Whole Foods put them out of business seems likely. Now if we can just get Wegman's and Whole Foods to get rid of those other pesky local businesses, like Today's Catch, David's, and even Roots,corporate success will be complete!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.
Agree, Bclass7, I always got my crab meat at Frank's because it was MD crab meat. I loved their NC shrimp too. Have to look for a new source, at least for the MD crab meat. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteStopped by there this evening around 5pm, handwritten sign at the guard station saying that "Frank's is closed until further notice. 9/20/14"
ReplyDeleteWhat alternatives do people say are alternatives to Frank's?
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DeleteUGHHHHHHHH! THat is too bad. I loved the service and getting my crabs there. It is a tough environment with a lot of competition who I do not begrudge. Just sad to see them go.
ReplyDeleteIf permanent, this is heartbreaking news. The staff was always so friendly, and their fish/shellfish are (after a few direct comparisons) far better than Wegman's. There are no decent alternatives.
ReplyDelete:(
Oh my! This is horrible news if it's permanent. I loved buying fresh fish there because I could pick it out whole and have it cleaned the way I wanted. I always tipped the seafood guys that cleaned my fish so they were always very nice to me - knew me by sight and would always ask how my day was. I'm so sad right now.
ReplyDeleteToday's Catch is just up the road in Columbia. A great alternative!
ReplyDeleteFranks Seafood is permanently closed the liquidators were taking out items from inside the store today. The Guard said another retailer will eventually replace Franks, but It will be a while.
ReplyDeleteWent to Franks the day before they apparently closed which was Sunday...they gave me a coupon to use on my next visit...why would they close? Something fishy going on I think.
ReplyDeleteThey have taken down their webpage. Calling the business line eventually ends up with a message, "Sorry, we are closed".
ReplyDeleteThis is terrible news.
Even though this is much farther from Howard County than Frank's, Shoreline seafood in Gambrills has a good selection of fresh seafood.
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ReplyDeleteYes, it is true as I just left there today. My family wanted fish so I headed over there only to find out that they were out of business. The guard stated that it was a sudden thing everyone reported to work as usual one day and was told by the end of the day Frank's Seafood was closing for good. I was told that another vendor would be coming soon. So sorry this happened, I loved the service I got there and everyone was always very nice. Going to really miss them!
So sad! It seems as if the best sources are disappearing. I agree that in direct comparisons to Wegmans, Franks always won in freashness, quality, and even price for the product--same-day caught tuna, real MD crab, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhole foods seems good for fish, but the clams at Today's Catch were always gritty as if they didn't soak their clams. We always soak them with cornmeal for a few hours so it was surprising it was still gritty. Too bad...the quality at Frank's was great!
I went down Saturday to get fresh fish and the guard at the gate said Frank's was closed and no one knew what happened. I was so disappointed. I don't live in the immediate area and had my cooler in the trunk. I loved getting fish there.
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ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOO..... FRANKS CAN'T CLOSE :(
ReplyDeleteMy reaction precisely :(
DeleteBeing an Island boy I rarely eat fish here in the States.....and other then that I'm vegan. the only fish I would buy and cook was from Frank's. .... this is a major blow to my diet.. Like for real.... i may have to move back Anguilla.
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of the family and they are closed temporarily due to health issues concerning the owner. The other family members are looking to open the place back up and they are actually going to be called something different besides Franks. It is a work in progress though as the health of the family member is most important.
ReplyDeleteI hope Franks does reopen. It was the only place I would go gor jumbo lump crabmeat. If there is a health problem within the family, I wish them well
ReplyDeleteWent by Frank's on 11/5/14 and was absolutely SHOCKED. YES, IT IS CLOSED and NAFCO will occupy the premises. Unfortunately, NAFCO WILL NOT BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC. I also saw an article in seafoodnews.com regarding Frank's but can't find it now. Hope Frank's can recover and open another market. Love you Frank's Seafood!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nafcofish.com/links_fresh_fish_lobster_crab_meat_baltimore_maryland.php
I just stumbled upon this disastrous news as I was planning my Thanksgiving menu - yes, we do a seafood extravaganza instead of turkey. Devastating to all who have enjoyed this 100% Maryland treasure over the years!! Certainly wish the best to the family! Guess I'll be traveling to Shoreline now.
ReplyDeleteWe love their crabcakes :( :(
ReplyDeleteAny update on why they closed or if it's permenent?
SO SAD!!! I've been going to Franks for years and the staff there was always so helpful and pleasant!!! They will truly be missed!!! Where in the world can we get the same quality fish/seafood? No other place I have been to in MD compared to Franks!
ReplyDeleteI went to Franks today for my usual New Years Eve seafood. I was shocked to find it has closed. I was just there in October and there was no hint of a closing. I see from other comments that the owner ill. I keep them in my prayers and hope they can reopen somewhere soon.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it closed in September. I guess I wasn't there in October. I'm so sad.
ReplyDeleteOld post, but figured anybody still watching this might like to know that Frank's has reopened under new ownership - now called Wild Seafood, but they brought back a lot of the same management & staff, and it's basically the same store.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteI'll be heading in soon.