Some things have remained consistent throughout the years: a commitment to quality, service and determination. “Treat people like you want to be treated and never give up” is our secret to success.
Our Story
Our seafood business began with Jim Catanese selling fish out of the back of his 1971 pea-green Dodge Dart, going door to door to convince people that his seafood was the freshest in town. Soon after this modest start, Jim and his brother John Catanese opened Waterfront Seafoods in 1982. “I had to convince customers that we supplied a ‘little better’ fish than the other companies,” said Jim. “Because of this, I became highly motivated to find better quality seafood for Cleveland restaurants.”
Twenty-two years later, the brothers partnered with Kevin Durkin and set up shop in a 7,500-square-foot warehouse on the East Bank of the Flats. Catanese Classic Seafood was born. Today, the Catanese family continues to serve the best seafood to the finest restaurants, country clubs, hotels, and retailers throughout Ohio.
Our staff has grown considerably since the days when just three employees stepped through the doors to work along the Cuyahoga riverfront. Catanese Classic Seafood’s team has since expanded to more than 120 people, including a sales team of food service professionals from every corner of the industry.
We’ve expanded our product lines, too. Catanese Classics draws on the knowledge of industry specialists to offer a curated assortment of traditional and rare cheeses from around the world. Our specialty division brings new and exciting products to top chefs, caterers, and restaurants. And under our meat division, we’re committed to sourcing, processing, and delivering the highest quality, responsibly raised meat products.
We want to be more available and serviceable to our customers, so we can be partners rather than just a supplier. This dedication earned us the American Culinary Federation Purveyor of the Year award for three consecutive years. We follow strict HACCP guidelines and carry an Interstate Shellfish Certification, and we work with third-party auditor Silliker to ensure our processes meet the most current standards.
It’s still a family-owned business. The next generation of Catanese- Jim’s son Jimmy and John’s sons Joey and Vinny - work alongside employees from all departments, learning the business from the ground up so they’re ready to carry it forward.
A New Home, A New Chapter
After 42 years serving restaurants, retailers, and kitchens across Ohio, that next chapter arrived in 2025. In May, we moved our seafood, cheese, meat, and spice operations out of our three Cleveland locations - including our longtime home in the Flats- and into a single, 42,000-square-foot production and office facility inside the Greater Cleveland Food Bank on Waterloo Road. For the first time, all of our business lines now operate under one roof.
The move is about more than square footage. As part of the Food Bank’s campus, our rent helps support its programming, and we regularly donate food and time to its mission - deepening a partnership that benefits our business, our employees, and our neighbors across Northeast Ohio. Along with our staff and the next generation of the Catanese family, we’re looking forward to continuing to serve the Cleveland community, and beyond, for many years to come.