Ryan Martin decided to open a fish market after he had difficulties sourcing fresh seafood for his restaurant.
“We used to have a seafood menu for the restaurant and it was very tough to get fresh seafood in Wagga,” Ryan said.
“In the whole of Riverina, I couldn’t find.”
Ryan and his business partner Dr Milton Hasnat decided to come together and open a seafood shop that could help cater to the restaurants and other retailers in the region.
The duo opened Riverina Fresh Seafood Market on Murray Street just in time for the Easter rush, with a positive response coming from the community.
“We were very busy last week and sold out whatever stock we had within two days,” Ryan said.
“We got very good response from the community and people have been very nice.”
The fish market started receiving orders for Easter as soon as it opened.
Riverina Fresh Seafood Market offers a great selection of seafood, including fresh salmon (skin on and off), whole salmon, smoked salmon, barramundi (skin on and off), rainbow trout, coral trout, tuna, John Dory, flathead, white mullet, school whiting, leatherjacket, blackfish, calamari, calamari tubes, baby octopus and caviar.
The market also offers lobster, crabs, prawns (banana, tiger, raw black tiger), Pacific oysters, Sydney rock oysters, half shell mussels and more.
The co-owner said since the opening he had received orders from restaurants and cafes all over the Riverina.
“They are all starting a contract with us and we’ve also had a meeting with Riverina Hotel executive chef,” Ryan said.
“Hopefully we can work together and make Riverina healthier.”
Ryan said that according to Dr Hasnat, Wagga was the heart attack capital of New South Wales.
“He (Dr Hasnat) said because people are maybe eating more meat compared to seafood,” Ryan said.
“Seafood has minerals, vitamin C and E so why not start a seafood store and people get the health benefit from it.”
Ryan said he was thankful to the people of the Riverina for encouraging and supporting him and his business.
“We really appreciate and encouragement we get every day from the people and we are thankful to Wagga Wagga City Council for giving us the permission to set up the market.”
Ryan lived in Sydney for 17 years and ran a restaurant. In 2020 his business was closed due to COVID-19 and Ryan decided to move to Wagga during the pandemic with his wife and two children.
Riverina Fresh Seafood Market will be open on Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm. It will be closed on Good Friday.
Normal trading hours are 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and Saturday until 1 pm.