about down the shore steamers
Our Story
It didn’t begin in a boardroom. It began with one mom’s idea on a beach chair in the sand.
Down The Shore Steamers was born from a simple, sun-drenched moment on the beaches of North Wildwood.
Founder Holly Stapleton, a dedicated mother of four energetic boys, was sitting in her beach chair, sun on her face, sand between her toes, and the sound of waves mixing with the laughter of her kids playing nearby. Like many families who spend all day at the beach, she was trying to figure out what to do for dinner.
“I didn’t want to spend another night ordering overpriced takeout or dragging my tired kids to a crowded restaurant,” she remembers. “All I wanted was a real crab cake—homemade, gluten-free, and made with love—not filler.”
That moment sparked an idea that stuck. Holly envisioned a place where families could grab fresh, flavorful, no-fuss seafood and enjoy it in the comfort of their own homes, hotel rooms, or beach rentals without compromising on quality.
At first, it was all about the crab cakes, a recipe Holly spent hours perfecting! But as the idea grew, so did the menu. She added fresh and tasty salads and coastal sandwiches built around the kind of simple, satisfying ingredients she wanted for her own family.
Then, while building out her seafood concept, another idea naturally emerged: coastal classic steam pots, inspired by the timeless clam bakes of New England and the Low Country boils of the South. She didn’t invent the concept, but she brought it to her new family space in a way that felt fresh, approachable, and fun.
These pots, packed with shrimp, mussels, clams, snow crab, scallops, lobster tails, corn, and potatoes, are fully prepped and assembled in-store, then taken home to be steamed and poured out over brown paper, just like the old timers used to do. It’s a shared experience, a beach memory, and a satisfying meal all rolled into one.
What began as a beachside brainstorm turned into a family-run, seafood shop built on quality, simplicity, and that classic down-the-shore spirit.
You’ll also find weekly specials, seasonal additions, and outdoor seating coming soon to make your experience even better.
Meet the Family
Down The Shore Steamers is proudly family-owned and operated. Holly runs the show with a deep commitment to quality and community. “Our family has spent our whole lives coming down to Wildwood so it feels like home. What better way to be an even bigger part of the Wildwoods than expanding into a local business. I am in awe of the support given by the community and other local businesses; we feel so blessed.” This summer, two of her sons will be working alongside her, learning the ropes, sharing in the mission, and carrying on the spirit of the shop. Holly’s younger sons love to be part of the experience also, from starring in our social media videos to creating their own “specials.” Her husband and father, both union craftsmen from Philadelphia, are also hands-on parts of the business, constantly helping out and building new features in and around the store.
It’s more than just seafood. It’s a family effort, built with love and served with a side of shore charm.
