SOUTH PORTLAND – A familiar face in the seafood industry is setting up shop in South Portland.

Bob Coppersmith, who owned and operated Bob’s Seafood in Windham for nine years, is aiming to open Dock’s Seafood at 15 Evans St., the former home of Three Brothers Eatery, on March 1.

The business, he said, will be similar to the one he operated in Windham before he handed ownership over to his niece and nephew.

“It is a change for us,” said Bob’s wife and business partner, Paula Coppersmith. “We a very excited about it. It is in a good location.”

Dock’s will be open seven days a week. The fish market will open at 9 a.m. during the week and the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Bob Coppersmith said he had been looking at South Portland for some time, as he is familiar with the city, where his mother-in-law lives. He said he has had his eye on the property since J.P. Thornton’s operated in the space. That restaurant moved to a new mini-mall further north on Broadway, into the site of the old Newick’s Restaurant. Three Brothers Eatery had been in the space about a year.

Coppersmith said the space underwent a good deal of remodeling, which took longer than he has originally expected. The kitchen is outfitted with brand-new equipment and a new seafood case.

When scouting out the location, Coppersmith said, he realized South Portland, a city of around 23,000, did not have a fish market, meaning residents had to go to a fish market out of town or rely on purchasing seafood at local grocery stores.

“There is nothing wrong with the larger stores – places like Hannaford or Shaw’s – but some people like dealing with a smaller place. I know I do,” Coppersmith said.

The seafood market, which will be both a sit-down and take-out restaurant, will feature seafood and offer live lobster and fresh seafood such as haddock, scallops, steamers and mussels. There will also be hamburgers and chicken entrees, as well.

The seafood, which Coppersmith said he will purchase every day, will come from several local seafood providers. The major focus is ensuring the produce offered at Dock’s Seafood is as fresh as possible, he said.

“We are going to do as best as we can with pricing,” said Coppersmith, who has 30 years’ experience in the seafood industry. “I know people are price conscience, but the biggest thing we are pushing here is quality. Having fresh product makes a difference. It is better than frying up previously frozen or previously breaded products.”

Bob and Paula Coppersmith will be bringing their seafood restaurant experience to South Portland when Dock’s Seafood opens on the corner of Broadway and Evans Street next week. (Photo by Michael Kelley)