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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is forcing many restaurants to find new sources of seafood.

Some owners said they're bracing for the inevitable hike in wholesale prices as more restaurants draw on supplies with reduced output from the Gulf Coast.

"I asked if they still had shrimp because of dealing with the Gulf coast because I assumed they would not have it anymore,” said Stephen Adams, a customer at Libby Hill Seafood on Cotswold Avenue in Greensboro. “But the man said they still have 'em for right now."

It's a question more diners at Libby Hill's 10 restaurants are asking these days as the oil spill in the Gulf shrinks the area where shrimp boats can ply their trade.

Company President Justin Conrad said he began looking for other sources shortly after the spill began. "There are other avenues to get shrimp,” said Conrad. “There are certainly the imports and it's not what we would prefer to do but it's what we're gonna have to do, I'm afraid.”

He said they'll look to get their supply from Central and South America or maybe from other parts of the world.

Libby Hill has enough domestic oysters to see it through October.

But with the Gulf region generating two-thirds of the nation's oysters, they'll be much tougher to come by when the company looks to replenish its supply.

"There are oysters that are produced certainly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, of course Chesapeake's very famous for their oysters, but it's a very small amount of the production,” Conrad said. “So, can we get those products? Yes. are they going to be expensive? Absolutely."

Seafood is a specialty at The Village Grill in Burlington where the restaurant's co-owner said getting top quality product is critical.

"Origin,” said Randy Cox. “We want to know where it comes from and are they doing good practices."

Conrad said business had dipped since the spill began, but fortunately the chain has a loyal customer base.

"They do ask questions. We encourage that,” said Conrad. “We're happy to give them the answers, but we also want to encourage them to keep coming back and supporting us during a tough time."