GoFundMe Appeal For Kevin Heyward, Half-Century Owner Of New Haven Staple Kevin's Seafood, Forced To Shutter

NEW HAVEN, CT — Kevin Heyward was just 18 when he began planning to open what would become a New Haven staple, Kevin's Seafood.

The original Dixwell Avenue location operated for 25 years. Some years later, the restaurant relocated to 17 Kimberly Ave., where it remained until 2025, when medical issues and "unforeseen circumstances" forced him to shutter his half-century business.

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With a customer base over many years of folks who can call him friend, Heyward is widely known and respected in New Haven. The city honored him with a proclamation in 2021. A celebration of his 45th year in business and his 65th birthday.

"Whereas, Mr. Heyward grew up in New Haven, raised by his mother along with his eleven siblings, and began working to help support his family at a young age,

Whereas, Mr. Heyward saved enough money to start his own business at 20, which was the beginning of Kevin’s Seafood, a business that has successfully continued to run since then, employing hundreds of people, and being a popular New Haven restaurant,

Whereas Mr. Heyward has overcome many obstacles throughout his life and has still remained focused, humble, and generous while building up a New Haven institution that serves many.

Now, therefore, do I, as Mayor of the City of New Haven, hereby recognize and honor Kevin Heyward, signed Mayor Justin Elicker.

Four years later, he'd go out of business. And now, the family is asking for help.

The hope is that its GoFundMe appeal will lead to donations that will help Heyward to "re-establish what he worked so hard to build in the near future."

"At this time, he is humbly reaching out to his beloved community, friends, and associates for a little extra support to help him move beyond this bump in the road," the GoFundMe from his wife Cheryl and family reads.

The Heyward Family's GoFundMe appeal:

If you are originally from or currently live in the Greater New Haven area, the name Kevin's Seafood would most likely be a familiar one to you.

Over the past 50 years, Kevin's has been an integral part of the New Haven community, serving quality menu items such as fried seafood, lobster rolls, burgers and hot dogs, hush puppies, homemade onion rings, lobster bisque, homemade desserts, and more.

Sadly, 2025 brought with it medical issues and unforeseen circumstances, which led to the sudden closing of Kevin's, and up to this point, reopening has not been possible. This has caused an immense hardship for Kevin and his family.

Kevin Heyward came from humble beginnings and has always remembered his roots. At the early age of 9, he began to do odds and ends for his mentor at the time, learning about the seafood business as time went by. At the age of 16, he left school and started working full-time to help his mom cover household expenses for him and his 11 siblings. Two years later, at the age of 18, Kevin's Seafood was born at its original location of 716 Dixwell Avenue and operated for 25 years. Some years later, the restaurant relocated to 17 Kimberly Avenue where it remained until 2025.

Throughout the years, Kevin's Seafood became a household name. Kevin knew all of the regulars' names and their orders without having to ask. Over time he collected a wall of treasured photos of family, friends and employees that greeted customers as they entered the restaurant.

As the restaurant grew more successful, Kevin felt it was important to give back to those in need. For those who know Kevin, they realize that he is a kind, compassionate person with a spirit of generosity that has been evident since his early days.

He has a long history of supporting local churches and schools, shelters, feeding the homeless, and has provided support funding local community events utilizing corporations and popular radio stations. In 2021, he received a proclamation from the city of New Haven citing him for his service and support during his time in business.

It has been Kevin's true joy and honor serving his many loyal customers, as well as being able to provide employment to hundreds of dedicated individuals over the years who contributed to the success of Kevin's Seafood; many of whom he remains in contact with to this day. He has many wonderful memories and is grateful for all the love and support throughout the years.

Kevin's goal is to re-establish what he worked so hard to build in the near future. At this time, he is humbly reaching out to his beloved community, friends, and associates for a little extra support to help him move beyond this bump in the road.

If you are able and feel called to help, we thank you for your generosity. No donation is too small. Donations will go towards uncovered medical costs and other vital expenses. If you are unable to donate at this time, we kindly ask that you share this page with others and keep us in your prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The Heyward Family