Fin opening a shop in Guilderland
Fin -- the mobile fishmonger that's been selling at local farmers' markets -- is opening a permanent shop in the Star Plaza in Guilderland (Western Ave and Route 155).
Owner Peter Kenyon says they're finalizing details and aiming for a mid-November opening.
"We always wanted a market from the get-go," says Kenyon, who started Fin with his partner Dora Swan a year-and-a-half ago. But they needed to raise capital to open the shop. Kenyon says that happened faster than expected via their sales at the Delmar Farmers Market, and more recently, the farmers' market at the Italian American Community Center on Washington Ave Extension. He says they also got valuable help from the NYS Small Business Development Center.
Kenyon says the permanent shop will allow them to carry a wider variety of seafood, and will also help smooth out ordering and storage. "Right now I have to order everything and it's a huge gamble," he says of trying to guess how much they can sell at each farmers' market, "If it doesn't sell, I'm eating a lot of fish."
Fin gets its stock direct from the dock in Boston, and Alaska via air (it got Copper River Salmon this summer). Kenyon says all the seafood is sold 1-2 days out of the water. And they carry only sustainable species. "You won't see Chilean Sea Bass in our store."
After the new shop opens, Kenyon says they plan to continue selling at the Delmar Farmers' Market. The market provided an important intermediate platform for the business to grow. "Delmar's done a great job supporting us," he says of Fin's loyal customer base, praising their desire for high quality products and support of local small business.
This is a second career for Kenyon. He has a degree in hotel and restaurant management, but he says he had worked for years in the commercial HVAC business. "I love it," he says of his current career, describing how much he enjoys working with Fin's customers. "Nobody calls the heating and cooling guy unless something's broken."
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Comments
This is wonderful news, and this is so close to where I live and work that I'll have to stop in!
... said derryX on Aug 14, 2012 at 6:28 PM | link
agreed, great news. screw all the supermarket chatter - gimme specialty shops. i work nearby and plan to make a serious habit of picking up fresh fish for dinner.
... said jonathan on Aug 15, 2012 at 11:41 AM | link
Earlier this year Fin was selling their wonderful fish on Saturdays in a parking lot in Guilderland. Their shrimp cakes are amazing! I once bought bronzini fillets from them -- so good. I'm really looking forward to having this store in Guilderland.
... said Colleen on Aug 15, 2012 at 12:29 PM | link
Have been buying quite regularly at the farmers market. Can't wait til the store opens.
... said Bev on Aug 15, 2012 at 12:57 PM | link
This place sounds great! We typically only get fish from the fish monger that is at the Troy Farmers Market so it's nice to hear that there will be another option for fresh seafood in the area
... said Jon on Aug 15, 2012 at 2:22 PM | link
Thanks, everyone. And especially to the awesome chap who wrote us up here. We appreciate your support. We look forward to seeing all of you! Don't forget, we're currently at the Saturday Delmar Farmer's Market 9a - 1p and the real low-key Sunday Washington Ave. Ext Market, also 9a - 1p. You don't have to wait until November for your super-fresh, all-sustainable, Grade A seafood.
... said fin - your fishmonger on Aug 15, 2012 at 6:06 PM | link
Fin has been a great draw to the Washington Avenue Extension Farmers' Market (Sundays 1-9 at the Italian American Community Center). They will be a great addition to the town of Guilderland. I look forward to seeing them at the Star Plaza!
... said Joe D on Aug 16, 2012 at 8:46 AM | link
I have been a frequent customer of Fin's at the Washington Avenue Extension Farmers Market at the IACC. We love everything, especially the shrimp cakes and the mussels. We are excited that we will be able to shop at your store during the winter months as well. Please come out and support Fin on Sundays from 9-1 on the lawn of the Italian American Community Center.
... said Christine on Aug 16, 2012 at 9:11 AM | link
I have been buying fish at the 2 farmers markets from Finn’s for months back into the winter when they parked their truck in a lot in Guilderland. Have had only good experiences. The artic Char is wonderful. Salmon from the West was just great. Have had the mussels, cod, bronzini, shrimp, haddock, halibut, swordfish, scallops, striped bass, and probably some others I’ve missed mentioning. Am cooking their scallops tonight. Can’t wait for the store. I’ll see you all there I hope. Want to support local instead of Chains..don’t by fish there.
... said Bev on Aug 17, 2012 at 9:02 PM | link