Edisto Seafood, located on Edisto Island, was honored on Sept. 14 by the Edisto Chamber of Commerce.
Chelsea Ward, director of the chamber, and Madelyn Harrell, chamber member, virtually presented Edisto Seafood with the 2019-2020 Business of the Year award.
“This award is given every year to a business that goes above and beyond the norm by recognizing or participating in chamber events and by supporting the community,” said Ward.
Five businesses who fit the criteria were nominated and voted on by the chamber, but Edisto Seafood received the most votes.
The criteria to be nominated for Business of the Year are:
• must be a member of the chamber,
• must support chamber events,
• must support community and government activities,
• must encourage employees to participate in chamber and community events,
• must have a genuine interest in the future and welfare of Edisto.
The chamber felt that Edisto Seafood met all of the criteria and more.
Owners Ashley and Mary Evelyn Fontaine are proud of their business and the superior reputation they have achieved for excellent seafood. “We are so humbled by this award and would like to thank the chamber and members who voted for us. We are surprised and thankful,” said Mary Evelyn.
According to Harrell, the Fontaines earned this award for several reasons. “They publicly support the Edisto Police Department, Fire Department, Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Art Guild, the food pantry, King’s Daughters, and many other organizations,” said Harrell. “In addition, Edisto Seafood has maintained their priority of participating in Edisto events and supporting the community even during COVID.”
Located at 3729 Dock Site Road on Edisto Island, Edisto Seafood has been a member and participant in the Edisto Chamber of Commerce for eight years, but a staple on Edisto for decades.
The business opened in 1963 and is currently run by the third generation of the Fontaine family.
Known for its wonderful Edisto shrimp, the boat “Sarah Jane” sells approximately 300 pounds of shrimp a day during the summer season.
The business has also provided Edisto residents and tourists with fresh seafood for over 40 years.
Like so many of Edisto’s local businesses, Edisto Seafood took a financial hit during the start of the pandemic; however, with the support of neighbors and the local community, they were able to stay open and continue the family legacy of shrimping which is a vital aspect of Edisto’s history and tradition.
