For over 22 years, Jumbo Seafood has been a full-service “market truck” dedicated to offering the highest-quality seafood in Jefferson County.
“Unlike large grocery stores, we know our suppliers on a personal basis,” said co-owner Ali James. She and her husband, Les Bowman, opened the business in 1995—which sits conveniently at 1422 Blaire Road, Harpers Ferry (WV)—just off of Rt. 340 at the Sunoco gas station.
Jumbo is open almost every weekend through December: Friday, 10am-7pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, 10am until they’re sold out.
“Many of our customers are personal friends with Les—who he worked on the water with some thirty years ago,” James explained. “They have maintained their friendships, and they’ve turned into wonderful business associates as well. They’re loyal to us, and we’re loyal to them. That is a golden rule that we’ve always followed.”
Customers can count on a personal shopping experience every time at Jumbo, as James and Bowman also offer recipes and ideas, cooking tips, and handling and storage advice. In addition, they provide ice so folks can transport their seafood safely while maintaining the highest quality.
“We take great pride in our product, and in our product knowledge,” James said. “We take equally great pride in the trust of each customer. Knowing that we’re providing them with the food that feeds their family and friends is huge, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
Jumbo Seafood offers a large selection of fresh delicacies from U.S. waters. The weekly menu includes fresh, wild-caught shrimp; fresh, non-processed sea scallops; fresh Maryland crabmeat, and clams and oysters from Virginia. They also carry a variety of fresh fish fillets, as well as a limited quantity of Maryland blue crabs (steamed and chilled).
“I love that the people who visit us are passionate about their food,” stressed James. “It has never been a goal of ours to sell cheap seafood. Our goal has been, and remains, to sell the highest-quality U.S. seafood that we can procure at a fair price. Our longevity proves that we are the ‘real deal,’ and I can assure you we plan to be around for years to come.”
For more information, sign up for Jumbo Seafood’s weekly newsletter by emailing aliblu@aol.com.
By Lena Camilletti