A longtime Vermont seafood destination has officially closed its doors, ending a remarkable run that spanned roughly seven decades. The family-owned business had become a fixture in the Essex Junction community, serving generations of customers along the way.
Ray’s Seafood served its final meal
Ray’s Seafood Market & Restaurant in Essex Junction served its final meal on September 12, 2026, ending approximately 75 years in business. The family-owned restaurant and seafood market was located at 7 Pinecrest Drive and had been a familiar destination for seafood lovers throughout the region.
The Dunkling family announced the closure earlier this summer. Co-owner Paul Dunkling said he and his sisters decided it was time for some family members to retire and move on, while no younger family members were interested in continuing the retail business.
A family business dating back to 1949
Ray and Mae Dunkling started the business in 1949 with a truck that transported lobsters from Maine to Vermont. The family eventually expanded into seafood distribution and opened its first store in Burlington in 1951.
In 1994, the Dunklings moved the retail operation to Essex and opened the year-round restaurant. Ray’s became known for seafood baskets and dishes featuring Lake Champlain perch, while its fish market served customers looking to take fresh seafood home.
The business also operated a wholesale division, purchasing fish from Vermont anglers and supplying restaurants throughout New England. That part of the operation could potentially continue in some form following the restaurant and market’s closure.
For longtime customers, the September 12 closure marked the end of a 75-year family business and a significant chapter in Vermont’s seafood history. Customers who still had Ray’s gift certificates were encouraged to redeem them before the restaurant closed.
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