Mom & Daughter in e Front of e House wi River Views!

Since opening the family’s second restaurant in 2018, this hardworking mom and daughter duo have been delighting customers along Sebastian’s waterfront. Driving back and forth from Tallahassee during her final year of university, Breanna Clarke has always loved being a part of the family business; even while working towards her biology degree. Yet, it might be the mom, Brandy Buckner that beams the biggest when asked what is means to be able to work with her whole family; “it is so humbling to know I helped create this opportunity where we all have the same goal in mind and passion for its success.”

Famous for their massive bowls of fresh seafood, bathed in butter with garlic and spices, nestled next to whole baby potatoes and corn cobs; many of the diners spend over an hour cracking crab legs and enjoy taking the time to get to know this homegrown family and learn of their commitment to the community. “It is funny because many times people mistake us for each other, we are so used to it now.” Breanna recounts while looking at her mom with such love. Yet, not only does this family work hard to run their two Crab Stop locations in Sebastian and on Royal Palm Point in Vero Beach; each one also has another career ranging from healthcare to corporate marketing.

With happy hour daily from 3-6pm o ering $2 o drafts, house wines and their extensive cocktail menu; a good crowd is always on the covered deck enjoying good food and drink with saltwater waves serving as background music when a live performer is not playing. “The Caribbean Rice with the Kiss on the Lips frozen daiquiri is one of our most favorite combos,” the two ladies shared. Served inside a pineapple, the terrifically spiced rice is mixed with flavorful crab meat, shrimp, sausage, pineapple, and sauteed mixed vegetables; it makes perfect sense that an icy cocktail would pair well. Filled to the top with a swirl, Kiss on the Lips features mango rum, peach schnapps, vodka, and grenadine for a tropical drink that is enjoyable even on a rainy day while overlooking the Indian River Lagoon.

Husband and wife with son and daughter, started their entrepreneurial journey because of unfortunate circumstances in 2014, and have channeled that loss into growth. Growing so much that in 2019 they closed their downtown Vero location and restructured giving guests a bigger and better waterfront hotspot. Then in 2022, the family completely revamped their Sebastian restaurant o ering a new menu designed by Brandy herself. “It’s so rewarding that we can separate work from our family life; it’s like I have the best of both worlds by getting to vibe with my family every day,” Buckner says, “we all love each other so much we even go on family only trips and then come back home and hit the ground running booking music and ordering food so we can make sure our customers get what they want.”

Open Monday through Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday and Saturdays 11m-10pm and Sundays 12:30-8pm, Crab Stop welcomes walk-ins, large parties and themed events with daily food specials and happy hour at both locations. So…come meet the family and order some fresh seafood, try a featured cocktail, and enjoy some chowder, make a new friend at the bar, it’s a wonderful way of celebrating the day at the Crab Stop. And if the Crabstop wasn’t enough, please make sure you check out this mom and daughter’s creative new venture, Sweet Desires Espresso Bar & Bakery, located just minutes from the Vero Beach location.