Gemini Fish Market
By Kaely Lawler
Gemini Fish Market, on Gilman Boulevard, brings fresh fish from global and local fisherman to Issaquah, Washington.
Jim Oswalt the owner and manager, has worked in retail fish markets for over 30 years. His career began when he operated a smoke house café and retail shop in Portland, Oregon for ten years. After that he found what he said he thought of as the ideal location in Issaquah to open a fish market. There he opened The Gemini Fish Market in 2009 and he has kept his shop open there ever since.
Over 80% of Oswalt’s fish is procured directly through fisherman from northern California to Alaska who use the hook and line method. Fresh fish arrives daily within 24 to 48 hours of shipment. Oswalt said he was proud to report that “if something comes in that doesn’t seem right, look right, or seem wholesome we send it right back”. Oswalt explained that this is unlike other seafood distributers who use trucks which takes longer to get to market.
Oswalt reports Gemini Fish Market does not keep any fish stored in the back of their shop, this prevents overbuying and holding a product for too long. He said Gemini Fish Market prides its self on turning products around in a day and a half, keeping items fresh. He explained that he wants to keep his companies fish as fresh as possible while supporting sustainable fishing methods.
Salmon and halibut are favorites at Gemini Fish market, according to Oswalt, and salmon is available all year round. However, the market sells many selections depending on the season. Salmon, Halibut, Lake Cod, and Rock Fish are staples in the summer, while in the winter Shell Fish, Dungeons and King Crab make up the bulk of the business.
Oswalt said he believes that the benefits of shopping at fish at a local market, like Gemini Fish Market, represents quality by limiting transport and storage time which keep fish fresh and by building community relationships with employees. When referring to the workers at Gemini Fish Market Oswalt said they “make sure you get the best piece of fish and it is prepared just how you like it.”
He said he also believes that his stores specialty items are a reason patrons enjoy shopping at Gemini Fish Market rather than chain supermarkets. “We are always coming up with great new recipes for ready to eat and ready to cook items that we sell in the shop” said Oswalt. He explained that his market makes a “large variety of seafood spreads and sauces, from Dungeness Crab Dip and Smoked Halibut Spread to Umami Sauce (Sriracha Aioli) and Dill Sauce (the ultimate salmon condiment). We also produce Fresh Shrimp Ceviche, Fresh Ahi Poke, World Famous Crab Cakes & Salmon Burgers, Fresh Mango Apple Salsa, Killer Savory Coleslaw and lots more stuff made in house daily.”
Oswalt said he likes to hire workers at Gemini Fish Market who have a culinary background, for “their ability to be able to explain how to prepare seafood to our customers and another being that they have an appreciation for good food.” He said he believes his employees take pride in selling fresh and delicious fish to patrons. His employees are proud when a customer tells them that they were able to prepare a perfect dish with their guidance.
The customers and fishmongers are a big contributing factor to what Oswalt said he believes keeps his company in business. “When you have a small specialty shop like ours, your customers have to seek you out. They don’t just stumble across you on the way to the bread aisle. That typically means that they are really into what you’re doing and if you put out a good product backed by killer customer service, they tend to be really appreciative that you are there to give them an option besides the big chain store.” he said. Oswalt said he believes that this helps create a reciprocal experience for customers and employees.
Last October The Gemini Fish Market opened a food truck where you can buy salmon burgers, chowder, fish and chips, rock fish tacos and more. The food truck is open five business days a week, check the Gemini Fish Market Facebook page to find the location and hours of the truck each day.
