Stone crab season drives 40% jump in Suncoast restaurant traffic

LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. (WWSB) - One week into stone crab season, Suncoast waterfront restaurants are already seeing sales climb. The season runs from mid-October through early May and draws crowds to restaurants along the Suncoast.Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub is one of the spots seeing the impact. Customers there said they drove in from Tampa specifically for the stone crab.“Well you can’t get them very often but when they are in season you have to go get them. Got to seize the day,” said Tibbie Farnsworth.A short season with a big impactThe stone crab season lasts just under seven months. Restaurant management said fall is historically their slowest time of year, and stone crab season is what brings customers back.The general manager at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub said the restaurant has seen about a 40% increase in guests between the week before stone crab season and the first week it opened.“Stone crab is a local delicacy here in our area,” said Brandi Craig, general