MEET THE FAMILY
John J. Maxwell
Working on the bay since he was 7 years old, John took the helm at Maxwell Shellfish in 1981 at 24 years of age. His work on the bay took him from Oysters to Clams and back again. He was co-founder and first president of the New Jersey Shellfisheries Association and currently serves as Chairman of the Atlantic Coast Shellfish Council and on the Marine Fisheries Council. In 2014 he received the Hurley Conklin Award for a lifetime of achievement in the Barnegat Bay tradition.
Nicknames: DAD!
Specialties Include: Being the Boss & Bossing everyone around
Famous Quote: “This is the life you’ve chosen” or “Don’t worry about me, I’ve landed an airplane”
Kimberly Maxwell
Kim’s influence on the business is particularly evident in the Fish Market which she brought into existence in 2007. Our famous Crabcakes, Chowders and Clam Pies show off her take on old family recipes.
Nicknames: Ma!, Kim Kim, Kimmy
Specialties Include: Cleaning Up After Everyone & Crabcakes
Famous Quote: “Here’s how I would do it”
Donald Maxwell
At 92 years old, Poppop has slept more years than his granddaughters have been alive. On the upside, all that time sleeping was well spent dreaming of oysters. A local history aficionado, Don received the Hurley Conklin Award in 1996.
Nicknames: Poppop
Specialties Include: Blowing Cigar Smoke In Your Face at 8am; Greasin’ the Gears, Culling
Famous Quote: “This is all because of me”
Gretchen Maxwell
The eldest of the Maxwell girls joined the family business in 2017.
Nicknames: Sissy
Specialties include: Marketing & Anchor Pulling
Famous Quote: “Hey, can we just talk about work real quick?“
Bridgitte Maxwell Bliss
Full time oyster lover since 2013, Bridgitte touches everything you eat
Nicknames: Little Bridgey, Oyster Queen
Specialties Include: Being the lynchpin in this whole operation
Famous Quote: “I don’t feel good about this”
Nick Bliss
As Bridgitte’s husband and light of her life, Nick is our go-to guy when it’s all hands on deck.
Nicknames: Little Nicky, The Puzzler
Specialties Include: Marrying Bridgitte, Planting, Hanging Bistro Lights, Getting the rope out of the wheel
Famous Quote: “I have a real job”