CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS A new restaurant, The Catch, will occupy the location where Smashburger was formerly in the 3800 block of Call Field Road. The Catch will specialize in seafood.

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By Ted Buss/Special to the Times Record News

The Catch, a growing coastal seafood style restaurant chain based in Tyler, is expanding to the Faith Village Shopping Center and is expected to be open by early July.

The concept, based on dine-in/carryout, is currently remodeling the former Smashburger location at 3831 Call Field Road. Depending on hiring and staff training, owners Scott Nordon and David Weaver expect to be open within 30 days.

The Catch currently has locations in Tyler, Longview and Waco. All have quality reviews. The one question, however, is what defines coastal seafood?

"It represents an influence of seafood from the Gulf and East coasts," Nordon said. "We will offer catfish, salads, clam chowder, Cajun tenders, whitefish, étouffée and gumbo, oysters, fried shrimp and shrimp cocktail, crawfish, sausage gumbo, blackened chicken and much more. About 60 to 65 percent of our business is carryout and we can deliver to your car."

The staff will range between 25-35 full and part-time employees. Inside dining and an outside patio will both be available.

The Tyler location introduced a culinary program where a high school with this particular agenda can send students to The Catch to incorporate fine cooking skills to add to its educational system. The program uses the National Restaurant Association curriculum which focuses on real-world applications including pricing and preparation.

"It has been a great success, and it is not out of the question that a Wichita Falls high school may have an interest in culinary art," Nordon said. "Many new businesses come in and talk about wanting to be involved in the city, and sometimes it may or may not happen. We mean it when we say we intend to become an active participant of what goes on in the city and area. Wichita Falls will become our hometown."

Nordon and Weaver have known each other since high school and the long-term mission was to eventually form a partnership after spending time working in the restaurant business. "I wanted to learn the business," Nordon said, "and I eventually spent 30 years working in the business and managing large restaurant staffs."

Nordon spent 13 years with the Posado's restaurant chain where he served as chief operating officer of more than 1,500 employees. He stepped down to join Weaver in opening The Catch in Tyler.

"We look forward to bringing our brand of coastal style seafood to Wichita Falls," he said. "We cater to all age demographics and the idea is to have regular satisfied customers and to become a good steward in the city and area."