Meet Your Merchant- St. Michaels Crab and Steak House

St. Michaels Crab & Steak House

Location:
305 Mulberry Street St. Michaels, MD 21663

Website: www.stmichaelscrabhouse.com

Facebook:
St. Michaels Crab and Steak House

Phone number: 410-745-3737

Hours of operation:
Thursday-Tuesday (Closed Wed.)
11am- 10pm

Who are the owners?

Eric Rosen

How and why you started your business?  

The desire to own my own restaurant began when I became a chef in the Army. From there I went on to restaurant school in Philadelphia, PA where I am born and raised. After graduation, I relocated to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and began my career as a chef and general manager of a few establishments. When the opportunity came available to own my own restaurant I took a crazy chance and 22 years later I can proudly say my dream came true.

What do you sell/make/do? 

We're a crab & steak restaurant. The St. Michaels Crab and Steak House provides a full menu including entrees, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, raw and steam bar, desserts, etc. We have a full bar with many great drinks including our House Infused Bloody Mary.

Within the restaurant there are 4 dining areas that can seat approximately 300 people. Two of the dining areas are outside and two are inside. Additionally, we have an inside and outside bar, a favorite of locals.

Over the many years as owner, I have held rehearsal dinners, crab feasts, birthday parties, etc.

The restaurant is seasonal, so we generally open in April and close after the weekend of Christmas in St. Michaels, normally the second weekend in December.

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?

St. Michaels, Maryland in what a few of us like to call the Heart of the Harbor. We sit directly in the St. Michaels Marina, overlooking the water and the boats coming and going.

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?

Social media has done wonders for business. We have a great website and Facebook page that are updated almost daily with pictures of fun with customers and friends and photos of our good food and specialty drinks! Many businesses and hotels in town have copies of our menu. I can not forget our wonderful regulars!  They put the word out around town and other areas about us.  

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?

Continue to provide great meals and experiences to all customers that walk through our doors. Additionally, keep up with social media and changing times in the area of marketing online.

What is the best thing about running a business here?

All the great people I have come in contact with, and friends that I have made. It’s a great feeling to know that I have satisfied so many people from many different areas across the United States and other countries.

Meet Your Merchant- Mike and Eric's Front Street Restaurant

Business:  Mike and Eric's Front Street Restaurant

Address:  200 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels

Website: mikeandericsfrontstreet.com

Phone:  410-745-8380

Hours: 
Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr:
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Who are the owners?

Mike Whittington, Randy Schiera, Eric Nunamaker

How and why you started your business?

Eric and Mike were already well known in the area as a viable partnership, and positive feedback from our community inspired us to create Front Street. Our third partner, Randy, is quite experienced in restaurant economics, and completes our team.  Our previous experience had shown us that we had an original idea for the local restaurant scene, and were lucky enough to find the perfect venue to showcase Chef Eric’s amazing talent.

 What do you sell/ make /do?

 Mike & Eric’s Front Street offers an eclectic menu featuring local seafood and produce when we can, and imports ingredients from around the world to create freshly prepared soup, salad and pasta dishes. Our house made flatbread is the basis for some of the best pizza in the area, and our “comfort food” selections are extremely popular. House made desserts and carefully selected and moderately priced wines complete your experience. Front Street offers something for every palate and price range, served in a warm, casual setting. We have the friendliest service around, local craft beer, and a full and very welcoming bar, all in a great location right in the heart of St. Michaels.

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?

Front Street is located at 200 South Talbot Street (formerly Characters) right in the center of downtown St. Michaels. The location is just the right size for our business, and the perfect venue for our brand of casual gourmet dining. The storefront windows make holiday decorating really fun, and our one of a kind skipjack inspired bar provide us with a truly unique location.

What strategies do you use to draw people to your establishment?

Mike & Eric’s Front Street is a local brand, (Mike was raised right here in St. Michaels) known for hospitality and world class cuisine. Our most important strategy is our ongoing commitment to consistent quality in the food we prepare and the service we provide.  We offer great music on Fridays with local favorite Gerry Mack, and daily lunch and dinner specials. We also partner with local charities to host special events that benefit our community, as we feel it’s so important to give back to the community who has opened their arms to us and never let go.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?

First and foremost, our commitment to quality. We’ll be advertising locally, promoting our outdoor pet friendly area, becoming even more involved in community events, and continuing to evolve our menu, service, and catering opportunities.

What is the best thing about running a business here?

Definitely the small town atmosphere. It’s a great thing to have our neighbors and friends as regular customers, to meet their extended families, and be part of their life events ( weddings, birthdays, retirements), but it’s great fun as well, to introduce new guests to a more relaxed way of life, to watch them unwind, slow down and savor the area, and be instrumental in creating memories which will last long after they have returned home.