When you walk in to JP Seafood and Company, you are in the only store in Alameda whose sole focus is on fresh seafood. You are receiving the expertise of four generations of fish merchants, as Joey (the current owner's) grandfather, Joe Pucci, started selling fish in Oakland in 1918. Joe Pucci started his store at 5th and Grove, and then later moved to 3rd and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. When Joe decided to retire, his son Steve Pucci took over. Then, 17 years ago Steve decided to sell the store in Oakland and move to Alameda. Eight years ago, Steve's son, Joey Pucci, took over the store, which is now located at 1202 Chestnut St. At age 11, Joey started going to work with his dad (Steve), and at 12, Joey was working. Joey filled customer's orders, cut fish and cracked crab. Now 30 years later, Joey has earned the expertise.
There is a lot going on at the JP Seafood Co., as this isn't just a seafood store, it is also "The" place where churches, schools, private organizations, and all others who plan to have a crab feed, obtain their crabs. Alameda High School is having a crab feed in March with crabs from JP Seafood. "I am the least expensive of the private fish merchants. Our quality is impeccable and second to none," said Joey.
Joey loves it when people come in and ask, "What's for dinner?" You can come in without a set menu. Joey will help you find what you are craving. If you are in the mood for crab, have Joey pick you out a fat three "pounder," crack it for you, and then you take it home and serve it at room temperature. Joey says that is the best and you won't need butter with his crabs. "I have the best crabs around," says Joey, "We sell retail and wholesale for crab feeds. I work with people who started with my grandfather 90 years ago. I am the only owner who hand picks the seafood as I see fit. I am the only owner who oversees and delivers his own product. I get it from the boats, not the wholesalers."
Aside from his famous crabs, Joey also sells the best Dungeness crab cakes in Alameda, made by Joey's dad, Steven. Steven makes them by hand in the shop everyday. Joey only carries the large wild Mexican prawns, "You won't find farm-raised tiger prawns here. We peel and cook our own right here at the shop. We also carry northern halibut (the larger of the two species) from March to November. We carry seasonal local cod, and Petrale sole. We cut it by hand, no machine. We sell anything you want and we also take special orders." Joey, his wife Holly, and their daughter Carmen all enjoy and love Alameda. Joey's family was born and raised right here. Uncle Pat Potter, who is the guitar player in the band "House of Floyd," a Pink Floyd copy band, also helps with the process of the shop. "Look," said Joey, " Our family is the most knowledgeable about this business, and I care. I don't see people as a dollar. I see people I grew up with and they are my friends."
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Alameda Sun (Alameda, CA).
