Captain White has served up fresh seafood on the Southwest Waterfront for decades. But a legal battle with The Wharf development over rent has them leaving. News 4’s Jackie Bensen reports.
One of D.C.’s favorite fish markets pulled away from the Southwest waterfront on Thursday.
Captain White’s Seafood was seen pulling its barge out into the Washington Channel. Chopper4 footage showed the barge slowly moving. It was unclear where it was headed.
The longtime open-air seafood vendor is leaving the fish market after a lengthy court battle with the District over rent, News4’s Mark Segraves reports.
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Captain White’s has argued that the Wharf redevelopment project crowded out customers and made it hard to stay in business.
“Well, my thing is because of all the stuff they built down here, it’s ridiculous,” customer Kathleen Helton-Floyd said. “They were here before anything was down here.”
The business did not immediately respond to an inquiry.
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The company that manages the Wharf, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, says it remains committed to preserving the legacy and vibrancy of the fish market.
The other seafood businesses at the fish market have reached favorable lease terms.
Captain White’s, known for its huge sign advertising the “Chesapeake Bay’s finest,” has been in business since 1972.
“Where is Captain White’s at?” customer Kelly Hamlett asked. “I’m so used to coming down here and going straight to Captain White’s. This is unbelievable.”
For many people in the D.C. area, the fish market is a beloved tradition.
“This is another landmark about to missing from Washington, D.C.,” Hamlett said. “I’m a Washingtonian; I was born here.”
Longtime customers expressed sadness at the loss.
“I’ve been coming here since ’79, so yeah, it’s home,” customer Renaldo Munar said.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
