ASHBURN — After success at its original Canal Street restaurant in Bridgeport, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp manager Dan Griffin decided it was time to expand to Ashburn.
The chain is known for its various types of shrimp and sauces recently opened a third location at 3242 W. 87th Street.
Lawrence Schweig, Griffin great-grandfather, opened Lawrence's Fish & Shrimp in 1950. Griffin now in charge of the three branches, including one in suburban Westchester.
“We get people come in who say they have been coming here since they were little kids or that their grandma used to bring them when they were younger. It’s a very family-oriented business,” Griffin said.
A lot of the customers who patronize the Bridgeport restaurant come from the Ashburn area, which is one of the main reasons Griffin decided to open a location in the neighborhood.
“We have people coming up from Ashburn all the time. Employees and customers alike. It just made sense to expand to Ashburn,” Griffin said.
Since opening, the restaurant has received great feedback from its customers, he said.
"Business is booming and the Ashburn location is doing great," Griffin said.
The biggest challenge Griffin faces is imitating the same feeling as the Canal Street branch. To combat this, he has transferred some employees to the Ashburn branch.
“A lot of people question whether it’s the same Lawrence’s as the one in Canal. I have sent some employees to that branch. All the fish is made in one place and then distributed to all branches so the taste is identical,” Griffin said.
In addition, he imitated the original mural of sea life from the Canal location in the Ashburn branch as well.
Lawrence Fish & Shrimp Canal Street location with mural. [Dan Griffin/Lawrence Fish & Shrimp]
The original Canal Street location is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
