"The bottom line is that the guys that we purchase from are not working," said Sal Sunseri, (P&J co owner) talking about the oyster harvesters who haven't been working.
"Today's our last day of shucking."
The owners are currently looking to bring oysters in from the West Coast, and that is something that hasn't happened in 134 years.
"They weren't what we would typically sell," he said, "and they cost 30 percent to 40 percent more than we usually pay"
The P&J Oyster brand is proudly displayed on New Orleans restaurant menus as a sign of excellence.
Al Sunseri said oysters from unfamiliar sources and the lack of quality of local oysters did not meet the company's standards, and P&J have had these standards since 1876 when the company began.
