WEST OCEAN CITY – Though a name change and a facelift will greet customers this season, the restaurant long known as Captain’s Galley will continue to serve up the crab cakes and family style dining that have gained it its reputation.

The Ocean City Fish Company, formerly known as Captain’s Galley, will reopen when renovations are complete Feb. 11. Joe White, who purchased the restaurant from the Hansen family last year, said he’s been gradually transitioning the eatery since taking over.

“We did not wish to take away the best parts of the restaurant,” White said. “All of that has been retained. You can still get the Captain’s Galley crab cake here.”

The restaurant, which has been closed since mid-January, has a new Ocean City Fish Company sign out front and is currently undergoing interior renovations. Local photography and fresh paint have been added downstairs while upstairs the bar area has been accented with a number of new televisions. White says he was careful though to keep that area separate from the family dining section patrons enjoy.

“We’ve got the family dining room,” he said, “where you can crack crabs and make a mess, and in the bar we’ve got 65-inch hi-def TVs. The neat thing is you can’t see the TVs from the dining room.”

In the future, White plans to eventually remodel the restaurant’s ground floor to give it some “cozy corners.”

“There are no nooks and crannies now,” he said. “We want to diversify our space. We’re constantly looking for ways to update the experience for our customers.”

While the physical changes are underway now, White spent much of the past year tweaking the menu to expand the culinary experience for patrons. He says daily specials were instrumental in getting customers to try new items.

“Our goal with the daily specials was to give folks a reason to come back twice a week,” White said. “This place has always been the best crab cake in Ocean City. We got them to come back for a second meal.”

Daily specials that proved particularly popular included the flounder piccata as well as the stuffed soft shell crab — a dish created essentially after a bet.

“One of our guys was dared to see if he could stuff a crab cake into a soft shell,” White said, adding that it had indeed proved possible. “If you eat the whole thing you should get a trophy.”

He said staff would also be working to include broiled and sautéed options on the menu, which in the past has featured a lot of fried foods, in an effort to offer healthier entrees. In addition, he’s expanded the establishment’s beer and wine selections.

White says that though the restaurant and its menu are evolving, customer favorites from years past, namely the crab cake, prime rib and salad bar, will remain staples at the Ocean City Fish Company.

“The name change is not going to mean a change in culture,” he said. “We’re still a fresh seafood company.”

White was eager to add, however, that the entertainment schedule would be significantly enhanced in the coming year. Last summer, Captain’s Galley hosted live performers three nights a week. This year, the restaurant will feature performers three times a week starting in April. During the peak of summer, live entertainment will be offered every night.

Along with the Ocean City Fish Company, White continues to run the Shrimp Boat on Route 611 and a wholesale seafood company. While the addition of a large scale restaurant has kept him busy, he says it has improved operations at his other two businesses.

“Having a restaurant of this volume has enhanced the other two,” he said. “Going from 100 pounds of fresh salmon to 500 pounds changes your buying power.”