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Alumni Business Owners: Conor '16 and Alyssa '16 MacNair

“There are oyster beds right here that can be tied back generations. I love the historic piece of that. This area is really open to oyster farming. People love their seafood."
~ Conor MacNair '16

The sign for the N. SEA. Oyster Co in front of its oyster barn

November 21, 2022 | Sarah Fetters

Just 27 miles from UNCW's campus, the N. SEA. Oyster Co is dedicated to crafting a sustainable, salty and savory, oyster along the coastal waters of North Carolina. Nestled within Topsail Sound, Conor '16 and Alyssa '16 MacNair cultivate oysters utilizing a mixture of Australian and French techniques. Grown primarily on a 300-foot suspended longline, these oysters endure a rigorous dry and tumble schedule.

Oysters sit near the water

 

The logo for the N. SEA. Oyster Co

N. SEA. Oyster Co grows and sells its oysters, the Dukes of Topsail and Divine Pines, year round to many of the nation's top raw bars. Around the holidays, direct-to-customer shipping and sales heat up. The MacNairs consider it a privilege to have grown their direct-to customers alongside their family business and take pride in ensuring delivery of the freshest, cleanest oysters possible.

The business recently expanded to its own Oyster Barn, where it hosts events throughout the year. The barn has also allowed the business to increase its shipping capabilities, provide the ultimate farm-to-table experience and let the MacNairs spend time in some of their favorite ways: talking to customers while selling oysters.

"I think people really like the idea of coming to the barn and having the farmer serve them oysters," Alyssa said. "They can sit where the oyster was grown and learn along the way — whether that’s shucking, tasting, what you can do in the community to support the oysters. That experience is what people really enjoy, and what sets us apart."

N. SEA Oyster Co Video

Learn more from the N. SEA. Oyster Co family in this exclusive interview.

Alumni-owned businesses are a point of pride for the UNCW Alumni Association and connect the Seahawk family across the country and around the globe. Search the directory of alumni-owned businesses to see where you can #ShopSeahawk.