Broadwater Oyster Company celebrates first anniversary in Rehoboth

One year ago, Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth Beach became the first restaurant to sell Ted Nowakowski’s Broadwater oysters. A Rehoboth Beach resident, Nowakowski helped found the Broadwater Oyster Company in August of 2010.  The company grows oysters in cages in Occohannock Creek on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Delmarva Peninsula on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

After the oysters reach market size, they are trucked to the sea side of the peninsula where they are soaked in the salty waters of Broadwater Bay for a few weeks to further develop their unique flavor.

“We characterize their flavor as a burst of salt with a clean finish,” said Nowakowski. His wife, Barbara, who also helps in the company, said the oysters go particularly well with a light pinot grigio wine or dry champagne.  “And Prosecco – they go real well with Prosecco,” said Barbara.

Nowakowski said Henlopen City Oyster House purchased 600 of the Broadwaters for its first shipment.  “Now they’re getting 2,000 a week,” said Nowakowski.  “We’re very happy with the way the business is going.  In total, we’re shipping 15,000 to 18,000 oysters each week to restaurants all over the peninsula.  We’re also shipping 10,000 clams each week that we buy from a co-op in the same area where we grow our oysters.”

Nowakowski said their business philosophy is to be very honest with people and ensure that they ship out a consistently high quality product every week.  “You have to bring or ship the best you possibly can.”

In addition to Henlopen City Oyster House, Broadwater Oysters are also served at Fins and Big Fish Grill in Rehoboth Beach, Nantucket’s in Fenwick Island and Lazy Susan’s in Lewes.  “Big Fish also wholesales oysters and they’re shipping us to an additional 13-14 restaurants,” said Nowakowski.

For further information about Broadwater Oyster Company, go to broadwateroysters.com.