Shrimp Louie Puts the ‘Sunny’ in Sunnyside Seafood

By Michelle Meagher October 18, 2007 Issue

At the heart of every business lies its owner, and Sunnyside Seafood Market on the west end of Panama City Beach has a remarkably animated beat. Fresh local shrimp and a wide variety of fish will likely transform the first-time customer into a loyal regular, but it’s also Don Pack’s exuberant personality that keeps the business thriving.

“If you don’t want it fried or fast, you’ll have a blast,” is one of several lighthearted advertising slogans that captures Pack’s attitude toward his product and his business. He prefers to steam seafood rather than mask it with breadcrumbs, and as far as timing’s concerned, well, you’ll have to stop in and experience it for yourself.

Pack calls it the “one-man show.” As the owner, operator, manager, cook, server, and dishwasher, he has his hands full. Depending on the needs of his business or the wants of his customers, he’ll don a different hat. Shrimp is the most popular on the menu, followed by select Apalachicola oysters. Pack advises customers to call ahead for take-out and to check in frequently for specials, which sell out as quickly as they become available.

Pack, who was practically raised in the bar and restaurant business, moved to Florida in his late 20s. He had previously owned several barbeque “joints” in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo., but a love for the beach and the water sent him packing for the Sunshine State. Every summer he would venture north from his job as a chef in Naples in order to sell shrimp from a trailer parked across from The Treasure Ship, a landmark restaurant in Panama City Beach. Word spread and he was able to secure several commercial accounts. “I provided shrimp to area restaurants,” Pack explains. “I also crafted a salad that the locals loved. It was dubbed the ‘Shrimp Louie’ and the nickname has stuck ever since.”

Summers in Panama City Beach introduced Shrimp Louie to a local businessman who promised a great partnership. The venture prompted him to make a permanent move to the Panhandle. “I packed up my motor home, my Harley, and my truck, and threw caution to the wind,” he says. “If I’d have known the deal would fold, I might have thought differently about the move. Regardless, I’m here and I’m making the best of it.”

Hard work and a lot of ingenuity have made the seafood market what it is today. Stepping through the front door is like stepping onto an historic fishing boat; it just feels authentic. Black and white photographs, framed art, vintage postcards, fishing nets, and a life buoy adorn the walls. The dining tables are constructed of recycled tile crates, while granite seconds serve as countertops. When asked about his inspiration for decorating the market, Pack replies, “I’ve always loved nautical dÈcor and eclectic knickknacks. When you’re starting a business from the ground up, and you’re by yourself, you have to be resourceful.”

If you take a closer look, beyond the boat sails and the carved wooden parrots, you’ll notice quotes written on index cards peppered throughout the store. Over the years customers have come to appreciate his witty nature. “They’ve found humor in my snappy sayings, so I continue to post them,” he adds.

Although the shop is located on Back Beach Road, it’s only a short walk to the gulf, hence the demand for Beach Buckets, Shrimp Louie’s version of portable cuisine. Pack literally fills a bucket with corn, potatoes, sausage, shrimp, and even crab legs. “It’s my take on a low country boil,” he explains. “I tell my customers that if they take it to the beach and bring it back filled with litter they’ve collected, I’ll give them a partial refund.” Full bellies and cleaner beaches — what an extraordinary concept.

When he’s not steaming, cleaning, or scheming, Pack can be found either boating or fishing. “I don’t have much time away from the business,” he admits, “but I have a boat called ‘Mental Floss’ in Southport and it helps me to unwind and regroup.” He also has a pontoon boat back in Naples, though distance makes de-stressing on that vessel a bit more difficult.

Given the chance to tell potential customers something about himself or his business, Pack would say this: “Sunnyside Seafood Market is my life and my living. There’s nothing else like it…you have to see it to believe it. I promise to feed you well without breaking your wallet!”

For more information, call (850) 234-6734, or stop by Sunnyside Seafood Market at 21301 Panama City Beach Parkway and say hello to Shrimp Louie. He’ll be glad to meet you—and vice versa.

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