Business Buzz
Beat the heat this July and stay cool with fresh dining options from these new and revamped businesses in town! As you take a ride along Landis Avenue, you’ll find a brand-new seafood takeout franchise offering all your favorites. Travel a little farther down the road to check out the café that is sure to brighten your morning! We’ve got the buzz on these fan-favorite businesses this month.
Capt’n Chucky’s Crab Cake Co. Sea Isle
4111 Landis Ave, Suite 1, Sea Isle City, 609-905-CRAB, captnchuckysseaisle.com
Top left: Greg Ott, owner of Capt’n Chucky’s; Connie Teti-McMenamin; Dom Giordano radio talk show host; Jason Lottier, owner of Capt’n Chucky’s, Below: Brian Heritage, president of Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce; Kathie and John McCann, owners of Capt’n Chucky’s Sea Isle; Sea Isle City Mayor Lenny Desiderio; Myra McCann-Ladd (missing Sean McCann), owner of Capt’n Chucky’s Sea Isle.
Capt’n Chucky’s Crab Cake Co. hosted its grand opening in Sea Isle City on June 10. The owners, John and Kathie McCann, were joined in the celebration by Mayor Leonard Desiderio, Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization President Brian Heritage, 97.3 ESPN Radio’s Billy Schweim, and radio talk-show host Dom Giordano.
“Over the years, I’ve seen many changes to Sea Isle,” John McCann says. “It is a town that is constantly evolving. But while many of the buildings and businesses have changed, the one thing that has remained constant is the people. As a group, the property owners and longtime visitors to our community are some of the most kind and friendly people I have ever met. They have always been very welcoming.
“To me, Capt’n Chucky’s reflects that Sea Isle spirit. Not only is it a place to find good, quality food for your family; it is a place where you will always be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome – a place where you are a member of the family.”
McCann is also broker/owner of C.A. McCann & Sons Inc. Realtors, a business founded by his father Charles A. McCann – the C.A. in the company name. His family moved here when John was just a kid, and the town has been part of his DNA ever since. When approached with the opportunity to open a new location of Capt’n Chucky’s, the McCann family knew it would be an exciting new venture.
“My mom and dad started in the real estate business in 1939 in Glenside, Pa., and in the Philadelphia area, where they also owned 73 rental properties in Fishtown. So, my dad Chuck and mother Mary Ellen, who were always entrepreneurs ready for the next opportunity, eventually relocated the family and real estate business to Sea Isle City,” he says. “Over the decades, McCann Realtors established itself into the business it is today. To me, Capt’n Chucky’s is an extension of that entrepreneurial spirit begun by my parents. So, while it is a different kind of business and a new venture for us, we see Capt’n Chucky’s, as our next, exciting adventure.”
Capt’n Chucky’s is a takeout market that offers a wide variety of seafood, including crab cakes, wild-caught steamed shrimp, and soups. Customers can also choose from such items as Stock’s pound cake, Marciano’s Stuffed Breads, and several varieties from Pierogi Kitchen. Any active or retired military members will receive 10% off their orders with a valid ID as an ongoing promotion this summer.
Capt’n Chucky’s Crab Cake Co. Sea Isle is open 11am-6pm daily. Orders can be placed online at captnchuckysseaisle.com.
Bright Spot Cafe
4001 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, 609-263-2000, brightspotseaisle.com
Celebrating Bright Spot Café’s reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left): Tommy Brower, Mayor Desiderio, Chamber President Brian Heritage and Shannon Brower.
Under the new ownership of Tommy and Shannon Brower, Bright Spot Cafe held its grand reopening celebration on June 10. The venue formerly known as Shoobies Restaurant underwent complete renovation and rebranding over the winter. New paint, décor, and added space are just some of the improvements the Browers have made to the property.
“It’s legendary, and the most ‘happening’ corner in town,” Shannon says. “Being a part of the Sea Isle community is hugely important to us. We love meeting everyone, learning more about the history of the town, joining clubs and organizations, and supporting area nonprofits. We look forward to growing our role in the community in the coming years.”
Combined, Tom and Shannon have 40 years of experience in the food & beverage industry. They began their Bright Spot Cafe journey in 2018 when they were approached to open a breakfast spot in Exton, Pa. They now have three locations: Sea Isle City, Newtown Square, Pa., and Conshohocken, Pa.
“We chose our name because we want to be the bright spot of our guests’ day,” Shannon says, “and we chose our menu items around a true farm-to-table supply chain highlighting companies and families from my Amish country [Lancaster County] roots. Our varied backgrounds in event planning, nonprofit fundraising events, and bringing people together make us uniquely qualified to provide the best experience for our clients.”
Bright Spot Cafe serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch from 8am-2pm and dinner from 5-9:30pm daily. Start your morning off with all your favorite meals such as omelets, breakfast bowls, smoothies, and sandwiches. Bright Spot offers an entire gluten-free section on the menu that includes pancakes, waffles, French toast, home fries, sandwiches and more. Check out lunch options that include sandwiches and handhelds, burgers, salads, comfort food and beyond. Dinner is served daily with a brand-new menu that offers the likes of handmade flautas, loaded nachos, brisket mac and cheese, mahi Reuben, and Nashville hot chicken sandwich, to name a few.
Customers can also take advantage of catering and private dinners. Throughout the summer season, families will also enjoy Interactive Character Experiences featuring meet-and-greets and photo ops with some of your favorite characters. The schedule can be found online at brightspotseaisle.com.
