R&D Seafood says goodbye after almost 6 decades of business

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — R&D Seafood in Woonsocket is closing its doors after almost six decades of business.

“We bought it in 1990 from my parents, and I started here in 1970 and Marc started here in the mid-80s,” co-owner Ron Charest said.

Ron and Marc Charest are brothers who have worked together for their entire lives, and they are finally hanging up their aprons.

“We are not closing because business is slow, business is fantastic, but we are tired,” Charest said.

The brothers said that after 56 years of the family business, it was not always about the seafood.

“This part in the front room, that’s the best part of the whole day,” Charest said. “We really enjoy it, it’s everything we have worked for, it’s here.”

The business officially closes at 4 p.m. on Sept. 7.

Customers visiting one last time said they’ll miss coming in just to chat with the owners.

“They are fantastic, it’s not only great service but they are fantastic people,” Michael Tellier said. “They care about their customers and you can tell just by the people coming in the last couple of days just to say thank you and goodbye.”

As for what’s next, Ron said he’s not used to time off, so it will definitely be something he’ll have to get used to.

“We love our customers, we’ve been here for so many years. They made us who we are. We cannot thank them enough,” Charest concluded.