It's seafood season in Richmond, Virginia

OystersPhoto byInstagram Screenshot

Seafood lovers always eat seafood, no matter what season it is. However, according to WWBT 12 On Your Side, it’s seafood season in Richmond, Virginia. What does that mean?

Two reasons why now is an ideal seafood season:

• Seafood is more plentiful.
• Seafood is cheaper.

Seafood owners

During the fall months, the demand for seafood in the city increases drastically. Owners of seafood restaurants have noticed the difference, and they take advantage of the increase. They have more seafood to serve their customers, and their customers benefit from the cheaper price for a seafood dinner.

Donnie Glass, chef and co-owner of Beaucoup Oysters at 111 N Robinson Street, Richmond, VA 23220, said he has seen a steady flow of customers buying oysters, his main product. He is only a few hours from the Chesapeake Bay. Therefore, it is convenient for him to get plenty of fresh oysters to serve.

OystersPhoto byViviana RisheonUnsplash

Glass said:

“The entire menu is based on oysters and Atlantic seafood. We really are right there for some of the freshest seafood in the world.”

Chris Dean with Sam Rust Seafood Inc. credits this rise with people spending less time by the shore and more time at home in Central Virginia.

Dean explains:

“People are staying home. Class is back in session so the kids got to stay home. Especially, a lot of people don’t think about this, but with the colleges, you know Richmond, VCU, VUU, it’s more people in the city, more opportunity to go out to eat."

ShrimpPhoto byFarhad IbrahimzadeonUnsplash

Time for seafood

This timing aligns perfectly with Virginia’s fishing season when seafood favorites like flounder, shrimp, and oysters are in season. Therefore, restaurants cater to a variety of seafood lovers in the fall.

Glass added:

“It allows us to remain accessible at our price point. When the market is flooded with flounder, you see a lot of flounder on our menu; when it’s flooded with skate, you see skate on our menu; when rockfish is in season, you see rockfish on the menu.”

In other words, when there is a surplus of seafood, people can find some of their favorite seafood at the grocery store and restaurants at cheaper prices.

Dean emphasized that while the season is ideal for now, the trend will slow down after the new year.