AUBURN – The owners of The Fishery, Mike and Karen Ranucci, announce the sale of their business to Bill Braniff and Chris Smith on March 10.

The Fishery, a full service restaurant and seafood retail market at 250 Center St., was begun in 1988 by the Ranuccis.

The new owners plan a name change in the near future to “Noreaster Restaurant with The Fishery Seafood Market.” General Manager Smith grew up in a restaurant family and has been a restaurateur for his entire career. He currently is part owner of a restaurant on Cape Cod, while his parents also own a restaurant and marina in Florida.

The owners and chef Pat Hodsdon will keep all the popular choices while adding others. They intend to bring additional non-seafood choices to appeal to a wider variety of tastes. Fresh seafood, live and cooked lobsters, and the entire line of retail seafood items will continue to be available at their seafood counter.

The new owners have retained all employees of The Fishery, many of whom have been employed for four plus years.