Waterman’s Seafood Co. merges with Fins Hospitality Group
The beloved Waterman’s Seafood Co. in Ocean City, Md., is joining the Fins Hospitality Group.
Founded in 1982 by Ed Horner, Waterman’s started as a seafood market which still remains today, but is also a popular seafood restaurant that offers crabs, fresh seafood and its famous fried chicken.
Sole partners in the recent buy are Jamy Davy, Jeffrey Hamer, Maksym Sopinskyy and TJ Linton. Davy is the current owner and has been an owner since 2004 when Waterman’s was purchased by him and the Bergey family. In 2019, he became the sole operator. He will continue to be involved in the day-to-day operations, as he and Hamer have several other restaurant partnerships within the Fins Hospitality Group.
Hamer started Fins Hospitality Group in 2005 with Fins Fish House and Raw Bar on Rehoboth Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Over the years, Fins Hospitality Group has expanded to encompass seven locations: Fins Fish House & Raw Bar, Fins Ale House & Raw Bar (Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island), Claws Seafood House, Big Oyster Brewery, and most recently, JR’s Seafood Shack. Hamer continues to be very involved in all aspects of the locations, taking great pride in the success and direction of the company.
Sopinskyy established his career with Fins Hospitality Group in 2005. He presently serves as executive chef of Fins Hospitality Group, overseeing all culinary operations for all locations. He has worked every kitchen position from dishwasher to line cook, prep, line leader, sous chef and chef. Sopinskyy also holds degrees in culinary arts and hospitality management from Delaware Technical Community College and Johnson & Wales University, respectively. In exhibiting his culinary experience and knowledge, Sopinskyy has been a major contributor to the success of the group.
Linton began working in the restaurant industry when he was only 19. He joined Fins Hospitality Group in 2016. Since then, he has inaugurated several of the Fins locations and has managed for each one over the course of his tenure. Linton is currently district manager of the group and plays a pivotal role in the new Waterman’s partnership.
Rod Parsons, Waterman’s current general manager, has been with the company for almost 30 years and will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. By adopting the business as his own, Parsons quickly became, and will remain, an essential piece in the success of Waterman’s. Jessica Bradshaw, assistant manager and Coastal Event Planner of the Year, will also continue with Waterman’s. She has been with the company for over 20 years and will remain an integral part of the operations. The management team at Waterman’s is a valuable addition to Fins Hospitality Group and its organic growth.
This merger will bring all of the employees under a common ownership so they can receive benefits, retirement and all the other perks Fins Hospitality Group has to offer. Being a part of Fins provides opportunity for growth as the Fins and Big Oyster brands continue to expand. Waterman’s will remain the same but jointly be a part of the Fins brand.
