Sea Well takes over from Gambardella

Lyndsey Pyrke-Fairchild photo

For Ted and Alene Whipple, the future of Stonington's fabled commercial fishing operation is crystal clear: Bring more boats into Stonington to provide more jobs and income for the Stonington Town Dock.

That may sound like a politician's promise, but the Whipples are moving rapidly to make it a reality. As the owners of Sea Well Seafood since 2007, they have over the years expanded their business by reaching out to restaurants and retailers, building a lobster pound at the Town Dock, establishing multiple sales locations, and now seasonally employ up to 60 workers. Last month, they closed on a deal to take over operations at Gambardella Wholesale Fish Dealers' Stonington location, consolidating their Town Dock empire. 

Gambardella's main plant is in East Haven Connecticut, and owner Eddie Mattei, the fourth generation of his family in the business, will continue operations there after 25 years in Stonington. The new company, Sea Well Fish House LLC, is retaining the equipment and, an example of the good will between the two parties, Gambardella's local employees as well.

Thomas Mitchell / Stonington Fresh