LACKAWANNA COUNTY — With the holidays right around the corner, many people are hitting the store to stock up on food for their feasts. One place that is popular this time of year is outdoor, fresh fish markets.
Many people at Schiff’s in Dickson City were filling up on fresh shrimp, some king crab, lobster tail and more. They were picking up their orders just in time for the holidays.
“It’s great to come and get fresh fish,” said Adam Kopa of Throop. “You know it’s fresh and these guys work very hard standing out here in the cold all the time.”
Kopa has been picking up his fresh fish at Schiff’s for years. He thinks outdoor fish markets are a great way to get people to shop local.
“It’s nice because we can come to a place where it brings back the old days when you don’t have to shop in these busy markets and in a nice small hometown market like this is always the best place to shop,” added Kopa.
For Joseph Tomaro of Dunmore, it’s all about prepping for the feast of the seven fishes. He tells us the reasonable prices make him come back each year.
He said, “It’s beautiful. I love it. You gotta love that feeling that you’re getting the best, you know, for your money. That’s what I love.”
Besides the fresh factor, people who were out buying fish tell us it’s also about tradition and the opening of the fish markets is something they look forward to every year.
You can find Dick Russo behind the fish stand at Riccardo’s Market in Dunmore. He’s been selling fresh fish during the holidays at this stand for years.
“It’s a tradition here. We’ve been doing it since 20 years now and every year it gets better and better,” said Russo.
With exceptionally good weather expected to continue into the holiday week, fish market owners expect to have their hands and their cases full.
