A coastal North Carolina seafood brand that appeared on Shark Tank is setting up shop in North Raleigh, opening its first Raleigh location at Brennan Station on Creedmoor Road this Saturday. Topsail Steamer sells take-home seafood pots that customers steam at home.
The Raleigh outpost will occupy a 1,300-square-foot space at 8111 Creedmoor Road, tucked between Brigs Restaurant and El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, according to the News & Observer. Paige Rogalski, the Raleigh co-franchisee of Topsail Steamer, said the concept makes it easy to recreate a seafood dinner gathering at home.
From a Single Surf City Shop to a Franchise Concept
Topsail Steamer was founded by Danielle Mahon, who opened the first location in Surf City in 2017. Customers take home pots of seafood and steam them for roughly 30 to 40 minutes, a model that avoids full-service restaurant operations.
Mahon appeared on ABC's Shark Tank on October 25, pitching for $350,000 in exchange for an 8% stake. She received a proposed $350,000 investment for an 18% stake, though the deal remained in due diligence.
Shipping and Raleigh Store Offerings
Topsail Steamer also offers shipping. The Raleigh store will offer catering and gifting options.
The Raleigh location traces back to personal history for its local franchisees. Rogalski and co-franchisee Renée Moore discovered Topsail Steamer during family vacations in Topsail Beach and Surf City, where the meals became a family beach tradition. In a statement included in the press release, Moore said bringing the experience to Raleigh to share with local families made the opening especially meaningful.
Brennan Station and Nearby Retail
Brennan Station sits at Creedmoor Road and Brennan Drive, as listed by CBRE, a real estate firm. In November 2024, Trader Joe's opened its second Raleigh store at the same 8111 Creedmoor Road complex. Hoodline previously described the planned store as a sign of growing interest in the area.
Grand Opening Details
Topsail Steamer's Raleigh grand opening runs from noon to 7 p.m. this Saturday. The first 25 customers through the door will receive a free one-pound shrimp add-on with purchase.
