

Blue crab for sale full#
"I feel like I have met at least half the staff's family, so far," she said.īarefoot will remain at work "nearly full time," for the time being to help Lankford learn everything involved in the business. Lankford said the transition, being so gradual, has been smooth. MORE LOCAL BUSINESS: After 80 years, T's Corner still has plenty of gas Barefoot will retain the title of founder of Blue Crab Bay Co. 28 became the official owner of the company, with the title of president. In June 2016, they decided together to proceed with the transition of ownership.

that was two and a half years ago," she said.īarefoot and Elizabeth Lankford, Tom's daughter, and other family members met several times over the period, "making sure it was a good fit for everybody," Barefoot said. "I confided to him that I really wanted to find somebody to take it forward to the next level. The company was founded in 1964 and later merged with Sysco Corp., resulting in the subsidiary Lankford-Sysco Food Services, now Sysco Eastern Maryland.īarefoot afterward met with Lankford and his wife. The person told her she should talk to Tom Lankford, of the family that owned Lankford Produce.
Blue crab for sale how to#
And I really didn't want Blue Crab Bay to not be an Eastern Shore brand, because that's what it's always been and we've always been active in the community," Barefoot said.Ī little over two years ago, Barefoot attended the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission's annual conference at Eastern Shore Community College, where she mentioned to someone she wasn't sure how to go about finding a local person to be the successor to head up her company. That bothered me, because it's been such a source of pride for local people, and I didn't want the employees to lose their jobs. Over the years, people have approached Barefoot about buying the Blue Crab Bay brand, but "they didn't want the building or the land, or the employees they just wanted the brand and to take it to another state and incorporate it into another corporation. For trade information, go to .īACKGROUND: Eastern Shore native buys Blue Crab Bay Co. Its line of foods and gifts includes Virginia peanut snacks, Bloody Mary mixers, seafood seasonings and Blue Crab stoneware. "Elizabeth coming in is a dream come true - keeping the business on the Shore," said Barefoot, adding, "For about 10 years, I've thought about what would happen to the company if something happened to me."īlue Crab Bay Co. over the years has evolved into a nationally recognized, award-winning food brand.

Pamela Barefoot considers her specialty food company, Blue Crab Bay Co., her child, so it is understandable she was concerned when it came time to hand over the enterprise, which she founded in 1985 at her kitchen table, to a new owner.īarefoot, 66, says she has found the right person to shepherd the company into the future - Eastern Shore of Maryland native Elizabeth Lankford.
