MOUNT PLEASANT — As Charleston celebrates Mount Pleasant’s local shrimping and fishing industry, the day looks a little different for the family that owns one of the Lowcountry’s oldest businesses.
Flames engulfed the interior of Mount Pleasant Seafood on April 27, shocking the fourth-generation family business nestled on the banks of Shem Creek that’s been locally owned and operated for 75 years. Now, the Fitch family is cleaning debris out of the market known for selling fresh seafood while others are treated to a boat parade, live music, craft show and fresh seafood at the 37th annual Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival at Memorial Waterfront Park less than two miles away.
Fire crews found heavy smoke pouring out of the two-story building on Shrimp Boat Lane when they responded just before 7:45 p.m. The business was closed at the time of the fire, and crews were able to extinguish a fire on the first floor without anyone getting injured, according to a statement from the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.
The navy blue-painted building looks relatively untouched from the outside, a shattered second-story window and porch signs warning curious passerby to stay back and not walk on the broken glass and debris the only immediately obvious clues. But a burnt aroma drifting around the parking lot intensifies near the storefront, and a blanket of soot covers the merchandise, most of which remains intact under the black film.
The blaze began on the left side of the building, away from the main storefront, according to Sarah Fitch, whose grandparents opened the shop in 1945. Most of the structural damage is contained to the room that hosted the ice maker and two large coolers that are now charred and slightly melted from what likely began as an electrical fire.
Fitch said she is “really grateful” crews responded so quickly, noting the community has already voiced support for the beloved business. Then, she rejoins the employees filtering in and out, beginning to piece the family business back together.
