Seafood processor wants to take over Wrangell location

Tacoma-based Alaska Ice Seafoods, which specializes in geoducks, also markets crab under the Fathom Seafoods name, and it’s the crab and other seafood that is bringing the company to Wrangell.

Alaska Ice Seafoods has asked the city to approve an assignment of Steve Thomassen’s Crab Alaska marine service center lease. Thomassen sold his business to Alaska Ice, which wants to retain the location.

“We’re not saying we’re going to light the world on fire, we just want to come in and work hard, earn you guys’ business and try to support you guys,” Cody Mills, chief executive officer of Alaska Ice Seafoods, told the port commission at its meeting last Thursday.

Expanding Fathom Seafoods into Wrangell, he said, would provide new opportunities and services for local fishermen as well as opportunities for his business to grow.

The Wrangell Port Commission approved the lease assignment, though approval is required of the borough assembly before it can go through.

“About a week and a half ago I was approached by Steve Thomassen to see how we move forward with exchanging leases,” Harbormaster Steve Miller said. “As far as the port is concerned, it all looks like it should be a go.”

Thomassen has leased the lot since 2012 and hopes to complete the sale of his company by May 26. There is a year left on the lease. The lot is 5,140 square feet, and the city charges $411.20 a month.

In a letter to the port commission, Fathom Seafoods said it would buy crab, shrimp, salmon, halibut and bottom fish, as well as provide bait and ice.

 

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