On an island defined by the Atlantic ocean, the fish market isn't just a place to pick up dinner, it’s a community anchor, a historical archive, and a direct link to the water. Nantucket’s fishing heritage stretches back centuries, but the way we buy our seafood today has been shaped by a few iconic institutions.
If you've ever fired up a grill on a summer night or shucked a local oyster on a deck, chances are you bought your catch from one of three island titans: Glidden’s, Nantucket Seafoods, or 167 Raw.
While they all sling the freshest local catch, each market boasts its own unique origin story, representing a different era of Nantucket’s maritime history.
1. Glidden’s Island Seafood: The Century-Old Institution (Est. 1898)
If you are looking for pure, unadulterated Nantucket tradition, you go to Glidden’s. Standing as the island's oldest continuously operating seafood market, Glidden's has been a staple of island life since 1898.
- The Origins: Founded by Walter Glidden, the market originally operated right where the action was: Steamboat Wharf. For generations of locals, Walter and later his son David embodied the classic, no-nonsense Yankee fishmonger persona.
- The Legacy: Now located at 115 Pleasant Street, Glidden's has spent well over a century serving as a year-round rock for the community. When winter sets in and the summer crowds vanish, Glidden’s remains open, supplying pristine Nantucket Bay Scallops, native lobsters, and USDA prime meats to the hearty year-rounders.
Island Inside Track: If you need to ship a taste of Nantucket to the mainland, Glidden's is legendary for overnighting perfectly packed bags of fresh bay scallops across the country.
2. 167 Raw: The Surf-Casting Startup Turned Culinary Empire (Est. 1978)
The story of 167 Raw reads like a classic Nantucket dream. It began in 1978 when a fisherman named Bill Sandole came to the island for a simple weekend getaway and never left.
- The Origins: An avid fisherman, Bill spent his vacation nights surf-casting on Nantucket’s famed south shore beaches. He caught so much striped bass that he had to figure out what to do with the haul. He began filleting fish on backyard picnic tables and walking door-to-door to sell his catch to downtown restaurants, birthing East Coast Provisions & Seafood Co.
- The Brick-and-Mortar: In 1995, Bill transitioned from a wholesale operation to a retail shop, setting up camp at 167 Hummock Pond Road, the address that would eventually give the business its iconic modern name.
- The Modern Era: Today, Bill’s son, Jesse Sandole, has transformed "167" into a lifestyle brand. Jesse expanded the market to include prime meats, cheese, and wine, and introduced a legendary food truck out back where people roll up straight from Cisco Beach for fish tacos and lobster rolls. He even expanded the brand off-island, opening a wildly successful restaurant outpost in Charleston, South Carolina.
3. Nantucket Seafoods: The Chef’s Secret & Specialty Haven (Est. 1999)
Tucked away at 56 Old South Road, Nantucket Seafoods represents the evolution of the island fish market into a paradise for serious home cooks and professional chefs alike.
- The Origins: Founded in 1999 by Ted Jennison and Dan LeMaitre, the market was built on deep industry expertise. Ted brought nearly five decades of seafood business experience to the venture, establishing a market known for having one of the largest and most diverse seafood cases on the island.
- The Specialty Twist: While they source exceptional wild local striped bass, fluke, and shellfish, Nantucket Seafoods carved out a brilliant niche by becoming the island's premier source for gourmet international provisions.
- The Cult Favorites: Step past the fish counter, and you’ll find a massive selection of high-end Asian ingredients, sauces, and frozen dumplings from New York's Chinatown. Oh, and despite being a fish market, they happen to make what many consider the absolute best Key Lime Pie on the island.
The Common Thread
Though their histories are vastly different, one born in the late 19th century, one born from a lucky night of beach fishing, and one built as a chef-centric provisioning powerhouse, they share a vital mission.
Glidden's, 167 Raw, and Nantucket Seafoods all rely on relationships with local captains and aquaculture farmers. By shopping at any of the three, you aren't just getting an incredible dinner; you are keeping Nantucket’s historic, working waterfront alive.
Where is your go-to spot on the island when you need to stock the cooler?