Crab-E-Bills is closing June 1.
The popular Sebastian seafood market occupies the west side of the old, dilapidated Hurricane Harbor building on Indian River Drive, which has been condemned.
The City of Sebastian originally purchased the riverside property in 2009 as part of its Working Waterfront project. Though the structure is considered “historic” by many, a listing on the National Register of Historic Places apparently never was sought.
An eatery which occupied the east side of the building was shuttered some time ago, too dangerous to occupy with its underpinning compromised, the wood rotting, making the entire space sad and ghostly.
The City Council has now decided to undertake repairs, including a new roof over the entire structure, but a roof cannot be built while the fish market is in operation.
Owner Suzy Andrews’ lease with the city expired March 1, and the council in January voted to extend it to June 1 – but no longer. The decision has angered Andrews, the local crabbers, divers and fishermen who supply the seafood sold there, as well as hundreds of loyal customers.
Andrews says she has tried to work with the city, and has kept up her part of the building.
She still hopes, by some miracle, that somehow the seafood market can remain open during the repair work.
But that seems unlikely.
“We didn’t kick (Andrews) out. We have no choice,” Mayor Ed Dodd said. “What if a beam fell through the roof and hit someone?”
So for the next four weeks, while Andrews and her staff continue to operate the always-busy market, customers can still stop-in for fish – and maybe purchase some décor or memorabilia.
