The Crab Cake Lady of Murrells Inlet
She couldn’t read or write when she moved to the Grand Strand in the early 1970s, leaving An Mathis Springs with limited abilities in mainstream society. Her parents’ boat landing proved to be her gateway to success. She learned to crab, and she learned to cook.
From war-torn Vietnam to the vibrant Grand Strand of South Carolina, Springs has made a name for herself. Though she couldn’t read a cookbook, Springs’ taste buds and a little trial and error have earned her the name Crab Cake Lady.
“When we went to restaurants, I always thought I could do it better myself,” Springs said. Obviously she was right.
Springs has been in business for more than three decades, and people come from all
over the United States and Canada for her delicious crab cakes which she started selling from the back of her house for about $10 per dozen in 1973. That was her business location for 33 years until her two step-grandsons, Sean English and Denny Springs, who now manage the business, convinced the 70-year-old to move to a more prominent location and allow them to help her manage the company.
English took over the business in June 2006 and started crabbing with his grandmother. Then Denny came on board.
“It took a month or two for us to convince her to give it a shot,” said English. “It’s been very positive. We just kind of expanded on what she already created.”
The Crab Cake Lady Co. is located off US 17 in Murrells Inlet in an old pale yellow house with light blue shutters. Sean said her existing customers continue to come, and the business attracts new customers every day.
But Springs hasn’t completely stepped out of the picture.
“I’m almost 71 now and I’m aching here and there, but I’m helping where I can. Now I crab about three or four times a week, depending on the weather.” Springs says she’ll be there for her grandsons as long as they need her. “I’m not giving up. I want them to take care of their families.”
Considering her poverty-stricken history, Springs realizes she has a lot to be thankful for.
“I start to write a book now. I don’t owe anyone nothing. I’m very proud of myself. I’m proud of the boys and they work really hard. Sometimes it makes you talk about it, and you tear.”
Tears of joy, quite frankly, for she knows she’s come a long way.
Restaurants had taken interest in Springs’ crab cake recipe offering to buy it from her. But she wouldn’t. She said she told them “you don’t have enough money to buy my recipe.”
Next time you visit the Grand Strand, stop by the Crab Cake Lady Co. or the family-owned Harrelson’s Seafood Market, 4368 Highway 17. If you’ve already made your summer trip to the Grand Strand,
order your crab cakes online and have them shipped to you. Visit
thecrabcakelady.com.