Help Rebuild the Historic Crab Pot
Donation protected
HELP REBUILD THE HISTORIC CRAB POT IN LINCOLN CITY, OREGON
To introduce myself, I am Allen Black and was the owner/operator of the historic Crab Pot in Lincoln City, Oregon for 39 1/2 years before it caught fire and burned in a terrible accident on the day before the 4th of July, 2014.
On July 3rd 2014 the Crab Pot in Lincoln City, Oregon burned to the ground after having operated almost continuously as a fish market since 1922.
There has been someone selling fish on this site since 1922 when there was a small cottage here, where they sold crab and fish off the front porch.
The building that we bought was built in the early 1930's and has been a local institution for all these years. I confess that I hate that my legacy could be the person who let this long run end. In my 40 years of stewardship, I developed some great local sources for my fresh fish and shellfish. Also, in the almost 40 years of doing business, I have had many long time customers who I have come to know and care about and many have reached out to me and I very much appreciate that fact. I hope that the Crab Pot can come back so that I can serve them and their families again.
Some background, this building had been both my business and my home since the fall of 1974 when my wife, Marlene and I put down our earnest money for its purchase. One of the many appealing things about the market was having the home attached. My wife had recently lost her sight and was bedridden as a result of the illness which had blinded her, so it was comforting to be close at hand with an intercom system. She never regained her sight but did recover from the most debilitating parts of her illness. She passed away almost 12 years ago from illness related complications. We had no children. We took over the market completely just before spring break 1975, 40 years ago.On that one terrible afternoon, I lost my livelihood and all of my belongings and all our family photos, mementos and keepsakes. I went from having an income to no income in a matter of hours. The fire continues to be a painful memory nearly every day. The insurance on this property, unfortunately, having not kept up with the cost of replacement after 40 years, was woefully inadequate. To say the least, 2014 was a tough year for me. It is hard for me to focus on the nuts and bolts of what has to be done to rebuild the market and my home. Even with all that has happened, it is difficult for me to ask for help. Probably the way I was brought up. But without help, there simply isn't enough money to rebuild. More than one friend has pointed out to me that, if every customer who has stopped at my market in the nearly 40 years I owned it, each gave one dollar, I'd probably have enough to rebuild.
In that vein, I want to thank the people who have given to help me, some a little, some a lot. It all has helped and is much appreciated. Every little bit will help in, what I hope is, a new future for the Crab Pot and for me.
Lost in the fire were murals painted by the former owners daughters. Along with my plea for much needed funding for this project, are any and all photos of the Crab Pot or its murals that anyone has and are willing to share.
It is my wish and my hope that the Crab Pot can be rebuilt in some semblence of its former configuration. In a new construction the market and house would be seperate, so if there aren't enough funds, just the market will be rebuilt. It would be nice to have my home back on the site, but I guess we'll see.
I want the legacy of this market, having served many generations with quality seafood, to continue.
Many thanks again to those who have given and to those who are considering giving.
My sincere thanks, Allen Black, owner of the property that once was the Crab Pot and hopefully will be again.
To introduce myself, I am Allen Black and was the owner/operator of the historic Crab Pot in Lincoln City, Oregon for 39 1/2 years before it caught fire and burned in a terrible accident on the day before the 4th of July, 2014.
On July 3rd 2014 the Crab Pot in Lincoln City, Oregon burned to the ground after having operated almost continuously as a fish market since 1922.
There has been someone selling fish on this site since 1922 when there was a small cottage here, where they sold crab and fish off the front porch.
The building that we bought was built in the early 1930's and has been a local institution for all these years. I confess that I hate that my legacy could be the person who let this long run end. In my 40 years of stewardship, I developed some great local sources for my fresh fish and shellfish. Also, in the almost 40 years of doing business, I have had many long time customers who I have come to know and care about and many have reached out to me and I very much appreciate that fact. I hope that the Crab Pot can come back so that I can serve them and their families again.
Some background, this building had been both my business and my home since the fall of 1974 when my wife, Marlene and I put down our earnest money for its purchase. One of the many appealing things about the market was having the home attached. My wife had recently lost her sight and was bedridden as a result of the illness which had blinded her, so it was comforting to be close at hand with an intercom system. She never regained her sight but did recover from the most debilitating parts of her illness. She passed away almost 12 years ago from illness related complications. We had no children. We took over the market completely just before spring break 1975, 40 years ago.On that one terrible afternoon, I lost my livelihood and all of my belongings and all our family photos, mementos and keepsakes. I went from having an income to no income in a matter of hours. The fire continues to be a painful memory nearly every day. The insurance on this property, unfortunately, having not kept up with the cost of replacement after 40 years, was woefully inadequate. To say the least, 2014 was a tough year for me. It is hard for me to focus on the nuts and bolts of what has to be done to rebuild the market and my home. Even with all that has happened, it is difficult for me to ask for help. Probably the way I was brought up. But without help, there simply isn't enough money to rebuild. More than one friend has pointed out to me that, if every customer who has stopped at my market in the nearly 40 years I owned it, each gave one dollar, I'd probably have enough to rebuild.
In that vein, I want to thank the people who have given to help me, some a little, some a lot. It all has helped and is much appreciated. Every little bit will help in, what I hope is, a new future for the Crab Pot and for me.
Lost in the fire were murals painted by the former owners daughters. Along with my plea for much needed funding for this project, are any and all photos of the Crab Pot or its murals that anyone has and are willing to share.
It is my wish and my hope that the Crab Pot can be rebuilt in some semblence of its former configuration. In a new construction the market and house would be seperate, so if there aren't enough funds, just the market will be rebuilt. It would be nice to have my home back on the site, but I guess we'll see.
I want the legacy of this market, having served many generations with quality seafood, to continue.
Many thanks again to those who have given and to those who are considering giving.
My sincere thanks, Allen Black, owner of the property that once was the Crab Pot and hopefully will be again.
Organizer
Allen Black
Organizer
Lincoln City, OR
