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Thurmont offficial join the Harne family for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Shown above (L-R) Commissioner Ron Terpko, Noah Harne (grandson), Robin
Harne, Kaitlyn Brewster (grandaughter), Cody Dewees (grandson), Calvin Brewster (son-in-law), Bobby Harne, Troy Harne (son), Michelle Brewster (daughter) holding Karson Brewster
(grandaughter), Genn Harne (daughter-In-law), Commissioner Bill Blakeslee and Main Street manager Vickie Grinder.
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There just might be a little Old Bay seasoning running through the veins of Robin and Bobby Harne of Thurmont. Robin is the daughter of Bob Carson, who was
well-known for his delicious crabs at the Blue Mountain Inn in Thurmont. Bobby started working at the restaurant at the age of 14 in the crab room. The restaurant is long gone, but
the family crab cooking secrets live on, says Robin.
Now, they are living their dream to open their own seafood business, steaming crabs just the way they learned many years ago with the grand opening of Rube’s
Crab Shack (pronounced roob’s) in Thurmont. The name "Rube" is Bobby’s nickname from childhood into adulthood.
"We pride ourselves in our special way of steaming crabs," said Robin. "We steam every order, to order. We also presoak our crabs in ice water to clean and
numb the crabs before cooking." Robin says they also season the crabs during cooking, a process many steamers do not do. "Many places presteam them and toss on the seasoning during
the last cooking. We do not presteam and we cook with the seasoning for the best tasting crabs."
Robin says she and her husband cook crabs exactly the way that her father did. They even stack the crabs neatly in the bushel box so you’ll get the most value
for your money.
They also work directly with several Maryland crabbers to provide crabs most through November. "We’re very picky about quality," said Robin.
Rube’s Crab Shack will be open year-round offering Maryland hardshell crabs in season, Louisiana hardshell crabs in other months.The business is a take-out
facility that also offers steamed shrimp, oysters, clams, fresh softshell crabs and frozen, already cleaned softshell crabs. Soon the business will offer fresh fish and will also
start offering lunch specials to go. This summer Robin plans to work with May’s Sweet Corn to offer steamed corn with crabs. Catering is available also for crabfeeds.
Rube’s Crab Shack is located at 19 Water Street next to the Kountry Kitchen in Thurmont. The store is open Wednesday and Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m,
Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Call in your order for fastest service at 301-271-2220 or write to rubes100_@msn.com. Convenient parking is
located across the street in the town’s municipal parking lot on Center Street.
