When it comes to seafood restaurants, one of the most prominent names is Legal Seafood. They’re popular not only in Massachusetts but across America.
But why does this chain of seafood markets and restaurants have “legal” in its name? Why did the first Legal Seafood fish market burn down? This is the colorful history of the company and how its past made it the business it is today.
History of Legal Seafood
Legal Seafoods was born in 1950, created by George Berkowitz. He opened a fish market at the Inman square, a neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Berkowitz opened it next to his father’s grocery store that was named Legal Cash Market.
During that time, customers were given “legal stamps” with every purchase they make. This created the connection between legal and quality and freshness. From then on, Legal Seafood was synonymous to fresh fish and seafood.
The restaurant started in 1968 when the Berkowitz family opened it next to the fish market. Back then, the fishes were simply prepared. These were either fried or broiled and then were served on paper plates. People would eat them at picnic tables.
Since 1992, George’s son Roger had taken the helm.
Burning Down
But things weren’t always great for
Legal Seafood. Tragedy struck on January 16, 1980, when a fire broke out in the fish market in Inman Square. When the firefighters were finally able to stop the fire, the building was already lost.
But while the original restaurant has burned down, Legal Seafood continued to rise. Until now, the company is resilience as it opens more branches all over the USA.
Word came out and it spread quickly until it was able to grow and led to further expansions. A few decades later, Legal Seafood restaurants are bigger and better with an array of different menu choices.
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