The Bloom Family Opens Copps Island Oyster Shack at Brown’s Marina in Stratford

Oh, hi there.

If you’ve been by Brown’s Marina lately to cast your line in the water or to take a sunset stroll, you may have noticed a super-sized food truck parked just to the left and construction on what’s soon to be a retail store.

These upgrades are courtesy of the Bloom Family, a name synonymous with oysters, specifically Copps Island Oysters. According to food consultant Matt Storch—who you should know from his acclaimed Match Restaurant in South Norwalk—the Blooms purchased Brown’s Marina a few years ago from its original owners. “They spruced it up, turned it into a working marina, and are in the process of turning the building into a Copps Island retail store (similar to the one in Norwalk),” he says. “They wanted to activate the beautiful space on the water because there could be more waterside dining here with exceptional, but simple food.”

The truck debuted at the Norwalk Seaport Association’s Oyster Festival in 2021. The Blooms and Storch worked with the Town of Stratford for a bit to finally be able to open the food truck on the property. They started serving this June.

How fresh? This fresh. From the water right into a Copps Island truck. Same goes for when you’re ordering oysters and clams from the food truck. From the water straight to your plate.

That waterside dining Storch mentioned is via the Copps Island Oyster Shack truck, a larger than normal food trailer that’s parked on the gravel surrounded by an adequate number of picnic tables right by the Housatonic River.

What the mobile Oyster Shack is serving is classic Connecticut roadside food that’s more refined than what you’ll find at the dives. Because this is a Copps Island run venture, expect lots of seafood, including ice cold oysters and littlenecks that essentially come right out of the water and onto your icy plate, shucked to order, of course.

Crispy clam bun

Other fishy fare is a shrimp cocktail, a whole steamed and cracked lobster, fried oysters and clams, hot and cold lobster rolls, an oyster bun (fried oysters, horseradish mayo, shaved lettuce, tomato jam), and a crispy clam bun (cherry pepper gastrique, arugula, tartar sauce). There’s also a trio of “Hot Shells” developed by Storch and The Blooms that include BBQ clams, Copps Casino, and the popular Copps Rocks, gourmet breadcrumb “stuffing” topped oysters.

But what if you don’t “do” seafood?

Deep fried ripper style hot dogs are top ‘em how you want ‘em (this is chili, cheese, and raw onion). And don’t pass up the juicy, satisfying Big Match (Provisions On State ground beef, lettuce, onion, pickles, American cheese, fancy sauce).

Don’t worry, there’s something for you, too. And before you ask, yes, there is a salad! But for those looking for a long dog, a double cheeseburger, a grilled chicken sandwich, onion rings, and fries, there is definitely all of that, and there’s a chance you’ll recognize all of that if you’ve been to Storch’s Match Burger Lobster in Westport.

Oyster bun

You should know what this is

“The Blooms are my partners there (at Match Burger Lobster), so we’ve got the Big Match (basically an elevated Big Mac) and ripper-style hot dogs,” Storch explains. “The only difference is in the way we serve the seafood rolls. At Burger Lobster we use round brioche buns, but Norm Bloom wanted classic New England style rolls on buttered, toasted brioche.”

Copps Rocks are available on the food truck, but you can soon snag a pack when the retail store opens and DIY.

And as far as what’s happening with the retail store…it’s coming!

Customers can look forward to purchasing the freshest oysters and clams, and even lobsters out of a large tank that’s currently being installed. Additionally, Copps will sell shucking kits, swag, and kitchen tools or dishware related to oysters, plus the space will double as a bait & tackle shop seeing how the marina is a major fishing area.

Currently, the shack is BYOB and you can order food at the Oyster Shack to stay or to-go Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. but stay tuned for any updates on Instagram.

638 Selby’s Pond Road; Stratford
203.866.7546; coppsislandoystershack.com