Our History   

The Seafood Haven was the first of our businesses to be started. Bob Barber began the business in 1993. Bob came to Westerly from Plattsburg New York after serving in the US Navy. In the 1970’s he ran the Bradford Room at the W.T. Grant Company’s Westerly location. He ran one of the top grossing stores in the nation for Grants. 

After Grants sold out to J.C. Penny’s, Bob decided to start his own restaurant, the Cozy Corner Restaurant in Charlestown RI in the mid 1980’s. It was at this time Bob also moved into a career in radio working first for WJJF and WPJB Radio and later at WERI Radio as news director through the 1990’s. Bob also serves as Treasurer of the Misquamicut Business Association, as a Member of the Westerly Planning Board and as Secretary for the Westerly Republican Town Committee. 

It was at WJJF Radio in 1991 that Bob met his future business partner Caswell Cooke, Jr. who was then in High School. 

Caswell was born in New York City, but has lived in Westerly his whole life and has family ties to the area going back over 100 years. After attending Boston University, where he worked in London for a Member of Parliament and in Washington DC for a Member of Congress, he returned home and began “The Caswell Cooke TV Show” which airs throughout the state and has featured many nationally known guests. Among the Guests have been Mike Love and Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, Roger Daltry from The Who, Dan Rather, Jesse Jackson, Jeb Bush and many more. For a complete bio on the show and the upcoming Misquamicut based series The Wreck as well as the Chad and Jeremy documentary in post production, visit www.caswellcooke.com 

Caswell worked for Bob at the Cozy Corner and then also at the Seafood Haven over the years. In 2000 they became business partners in the Seafood Haven, famous for it’s Clam Cakes and Seafood Products. This will be the 14th year (15th Season)for the Seafood Haven which also features a fresh fish market. Caswell also serves as Executive Director of the Misquamicut Business Association and is in his third term on the Westerly Town Council, serving as Vice-President. 

Building on the Success of the Seafood Haven, Bob and Caswell opened Captain Zak’s Restaurant and Grille in 2002. This restaurant features sit down and take out casual dining, beach front parking (rates change daily), restrooms and showers. Zak’s was named after our Black Labrador Zak, who left us in 2003, but whose “legend” continues through this great eatery.

Captain Zaks has won first place in the 2003 and 2004 MBA Chowder Cook-off as well as the Westerly Chowder Cookoff in 2005 and second place in 2006.

The story does not end there. In 2003, the partners took over the Breachway Market, located two doors down from the Haven. It was run for 30 years by Vincent and Virginia Gentile. The Market has been improved, but still features the great grinders and convenience store products (milk, bread and the paper) that visitors have come to love. In the Breachway Market you can find the new home of Dusty's of Weekapaug Ice Cream and next door the Tiki Guy Surf Supply shop.

More chapters are yet to be written...........