Archive of ‘Specialty Markets’ category

Jersey City Fish Stand

John & Jill Sabochick in front of Blair Urban’s mural in their Jersey City Fish Stand shop (and behind their daily dips for customers to try)

John and Jill Sabochick moved to Jersey City in 2015 and noticed that there was something lacking: “We wanted fresh fish but couldn’t really find what we were looking for,” says John. It sparked the idea of opening a fish market, “but first we wanted to see if other people wanted this, too.”

JC Fish Stand

Some offerings on my weekday afternoon visit

The power duo teamed up with partner Kevin Pipchick and decided to test the idea by working the 2015 season at the Jersey City Farmers’ Markets and discovered that indeed, there was a Jersey City fish need. After their sales success last market season,  John, Jill, and Kevin opened Jersey City Fish Stand, located at 508 Jersey Avenue, this past December. 

The brick-and-mortar Jersey City Fish Stand shop is the go-to for all of your pesce desires (supply varies depending on season and demand), six days a week at market prices. Walking into the store, you are greeted with a bright, clean and cheerful ambiance; decor includes a wall mural by local artist Blair Urban and a display of fish-hook themed merchandise.

The fish that the Sabochicks stock comes from all over the world, and they work with small vendors and big distributors in Hunt’s Point. “We bring in daily deliveries of fresh fish and then go off recommendations of what’s wild, what’s fishing and what’s coming in season—so we always have a lot of variety and our menu rotates every day,” says Jill. “That is our model,” adds John. All products are sold or repurposed into prepared foods within 48 hours.

JC Fish Stand selection

Filet selection the afternoon I visited, 3 hrs to closing. Pretty sure everything sold by then.

Since they do run out of varieties or the quality/ season deems the product not worth buying to sell, “We try to have enough items so we have the type of thing you’re looking for,” says John. “You may want a white fish or a richer-flavored fish or a whole fish, so we offer alternatives for whatever you want to cook.”

JC Fish Stand spice blends

Spice Blends to assist your fish prep

Additionally, Jersey City Fish Stand offers advice on how to care for and cook your fish, and they sell spice blends and meal starters in partnership with Bread & Spoon“We don’t just provide the ingredients, but walk you through how to put a meal together,” says Jill.

It’s a pretty brilliant concept—at least I think so living in the hustle and bustle that is Jersey City—for those of of us non-chefs crave simplicity but want to eat well. And, as John points out, “Some people get intimidated by new and different types of fish.”

Even better, Jersey City Fish Stand sells delectable treats from Jersey City Sweets that you can enjoy after dinner, taking the leg-work out of having something for the sugar-toothed loved ones around the table.

Bread & Spoon Jersey City

Bread & Spoon treats & other fun merchandise

Click below to continue reading what’s even cooler about Jersey City Fish Stand

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Holiday Market

JC Project Holiday Market

Project Jersey City hosts its holiday market this weekend, December 5th & 6th in the backyard of City Hall from 11am-6pm.

Vendors are not all participating both days, so check it out when you’re downtown. Find unique gifts for your faves and support local businesses at the same time! What could be better?

And of course, there will be food and beverage vendors to fuel your energy.

project market 2015

Check out what your local businesses are all about, Jersey City!

EAT.SHOP.DRINK. & be merry!
JCG

All About Downtown Street Fair 9/19

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This Saturday, September 19th, is the all-out awesome All About Downtown Street Fair.

Stroll up or down Newark Avenue (between Grove St. and Jersey Ave.) to soak up live music, nosh on noms, sip adult bevvies, and shop from 11am-8pm. (Yay because I have to work until 5 and would hate to miss the best street fair ever!)

There will be over 100 local vendors, and plenty of fun activities for the kids, too.

FB info here.

Shop local. Support local.
JCG

6th Borough Market 7/26

6th Borough

I heart the 6th Borough Market—and it’s back today! Take a walk behind City Hall (Montgonmery St. and Marin Blvd.) between 11am and 5pm to soak in the unique offerings and handcrafted items. There is nothing like shopping local.

Click below to see pics & purchases from my last visit…

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Jersey City’s New Hot Sauce!

GeminiCrowJoining the Grove Street Farmer’s Market this year is new hot sauce vendor Gemini-Crowand boy is that sauce hot!

Dov Teta, a former co-worker of mine way back, founded Gemini-Crow while being a stay-at-home dad for his daughters.

As a supporter of entrepreneurs and small businesses (as well as a lover of hot sauce!), naturally, I had to check out the goods.

I chose Burn, Blackberry Belle, and the Devil His Due (not a typo).

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All sauces are quite hot, so a little goes a long way. My favorite is Blackberry Belle, as it’s a little sweeter and has less burn than the others, but they are all good and fiery. There are also two jarred sauces under the “Doom” label.

Stop by Dov’s stand at The Grove Street Farmers Market on Thursdays and you can try each sauce in the Gemini-Crow collection and hear his recommendations for food pairings. All are gluten-free and vegan. Each bottle is $7.99, but you can buy 3 for $21 at the market.

Best of all, if you mention that you read about it on Jersey City Gal, he may just give you a discount.

Feel the burn,
JCG

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