Nestled between Pelion and Red Bank is the community of Edmund, and resident Clyde Smith thought he might bring a different flavor to the area that is light on dining options.

“There’s not much around and I felt like that would be a good idea to bring something to the area,” said Smith. “They have other restaurants around like country cooking but no seafood place within 10 miles. I know everybody loves seafood.”

His Seafood Shack opened March 22 at 6029 Edmund Hwy. in the former home of a Maurice's Piggie Park outpost.

Smith said he appreciates the support he’s seen from the community and from those who understand there are new business operations to work out. This is the first restaurant Smith has owned, and he said he worked on the place for about six months before opening.

There was maintenance and design work to be done to get the restaurant up to par and ready to serve.

Smith said he welcomed a constant stream of customers during a good, but overwhelming first day and added that he is going to “keep striving to make it better.”

“The good outweighed the bad,” said Smith, who is currently looking to hire employees who have experience working in restaurants. 

As far as the food goes, Smith acknowledged that seafood isn’t inexpensive food but said he’s going to try his best to keep the prices consistent. His seafood comes from a company in North Carolina who gets it from North France.

“I don’t want to overcharge,” Smith said.

Seafood is the emphasis, with bream, catfish, flounder, mullet, perch, tilapia, whiting, shrimp, oysters, scallops and lobster tail marking a menu of dinners and sandwiches, but the Shack also offers chicken wings, burgers, chicken fingers and an array of homemade desserts.

Smith doesn’t have a website or social media page, but he intends to add them. One group on Facebook, Columbia Foodies, has offered some supportive reviews.

Sharon King-Harris said she dropped by the seafood place when it opened and will definitely go back. 

In her review she wrote, “There were a couple of small hiccups but nothing bad enough to keep me from going back. The people were friendly and my food was delish (tilapia, mac and cheese and fries).”

She told the Chronicle, “I just wish people took into consideration that the business has been open less than a week. Also the staff was very upfront about the problems and very friendly.”

The Seafood Shack is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. It is located beside Brian’s Heating and Cooling.