Copp’s Seafood is a local institution, and new owners David Wing and Lisa Olivere said they intend to keep it that way.

After having been run by the Copp family for more than 50 years, the seafood shack off Mulberry Knoll Road outside Lewes closed July 3 and reopened July 13 under the ownership of Wing and Olivere.

Wing, a carpenter for 37 years, is a Georgetown native, while Olivere, who worked in sales for 40 years, is from New Castle County. They are engaged.

Wing and Olivere said they were concerned the shack would get torn down and turned into a new, shiny building. Olivere said they’re excited to be saving the business. 

“Everything around here is changing, and it’s sad,” Olivere said. “We just looked at each other and decided to do it. Everybody loves Copp’s Seafood.”

Wing said he’s known the family for 30 years, and he knows the history of the property. 

“This is my retirement plan, and I intend on giving everything to make it work,” he said. 

Wing said all the normal customers are happy the business is staying put, as is.

Olivere confirmed Wing’s statement with a smile.

“They’re excited it still says Copp’s Seafood,” she said.

Wing said he’s been working off and on for the Copp family for years, so he knows, and they will be using, the same vendors that were used previously. 

The crabs are from the Chesapeake or Delaware bays, said Wing. There won’t be any crabs from Louisiana, he said.

“I know some people don’t mind them, but I also know they don’t have the same flavor as local crabs,” said Wing.

In addition to crabs, Copp’s will continue to offer fresh fish, shrimp, clams and more. Everything sold will be wild caught and from the United States, said Wing.

The parcel is two acres – one acre up front where the shack and parking lot are; one acre in the back where there is a garden.

The plan is to return that garden into commercial production, said Olivere.

The garden looks a little shabby this summer because of the late change in ownership, but it will be in good order by next year, said Wing, adding that he’s worked a large garden before and does have squash, peppers, grapes and blackberries.

Situated close to Route 24, the shack is in a good location, and the plan is to expand the offerings, said Olivere, listing off picnic tables, produce, Christmas trees, firewood, possible food trucks and a marketplace as options.

Olivere and Wing may be looking to expand, but they said other than some paint and a few other cosmetic changes, the shack is going to remain a shack.

“We want to keep it a mom-and-pop operation, and we like the shack look,” said Olivere.

Copp’s is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday. For more information, call 302-645-9112.