Community Highlights: Meet Mike McCarty of The Lobster Trap

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike McCarty.

Hi Mike, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I arrived at The Lobster Trap to be here for just six months, and six months turned into 15 years. I took time picking up stages in Charleston and elsewhere but always found my way back to Asheville and The Lobster Trap. I became a partner in the restaurant and am now the majority owner. I had a clear vision of what The Lobster Trap should be; a meeting place for the flavors of Coastal Maine, combined with Appalachia’s abundance of fresh ingredients. As part of this mission, I made sustainability the focus of every dish on his menu.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I believe it’s never a smooth road when trying to do something great. I had a mission to make our seafood as sustainable as possible, and in doing so, I knew I had to change people’s minds and get them on board with the direction The Lobster Trap wanted to move towards. It took a lot of educating and messaging with our guests about why our sustainability efforts were necessary. Becoming a Leader with JBF SmartCatch was a massive lift for us and helped us relate our ethos to our guests.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The Lobster Trap?
The Lobster Trap is all about seafood- this is where fresh seafood is thoughtfully prepared in ways that honor its delicate flavors and textures. This is where fun, food, and hospitality abound, and the oysters are always fresh. In 2005, The Lobster Trap restaurant opened its doors in historic downtown Asheville, N.C. Since then, it has become a seafood destination for locals and visitors whose passion for fresh Maine lobsters, domestic oysters, mussels, clams, crabs, and fish is exceeded only by owner Chef Mike McCarty.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is how to create a team and cultivate leadership. The realization that I can’t do everything alone was huge for me and forced me to see the actual value of teamwork and what it means to lead people.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thelobstertrap.biz
• Instagram: instagram.com/thelobstertrap/
• Facebook: facebook.com/thelobstertrap/
• Youtube: @TheLobsterTrap

Image Credits
Lynne Harty Photography