Wow, 41 years go by quickly! Mike Monahan reflects on 4 decades in the seafood business
Mike Monahan & Paul Saginaw – 1979
Amazing! Monahan’s Seafood is forty-one-years-old! Seems like yesterday that Paul Saginaw and I started talking about buying the market at Kerrytown from the Real Seafood Market (where I was an employee). We took over in December of 1979 and our journey began. We started selling retail to the public while wholesaling to the restaurants in town. We quickly learned that there was more to this business than scrod and swordfish.
About doing business in Ann Arbor…
They say “the world comes to Ann Arbor” and this has certainly been our experience. Early in our history (and continuing today) the diverse, sophisticated, and international customer kept us jumping. If we could satisfy them, we could sell a lot of fish! For example, back then, the Japanese diet was 80% fish but there was only one Asian store in town, Sing Tong (our biggest live blue crab competitor!) We took pride in tracking down customer requests, no matter how exotic! Live eel, live sea urchin, sea slug guts, giant geoduck clams (in all their glory), you name it. If we couldn’t find it, we’d find the next best solution. We learned to speak fish in many languages; tsipoura, porgy in Greek; sawara, spanish mackerel in Japanese; dorade, porgy in French, and lots more. In this wonderful relationship with our customers, we supplied the ingredients and received invaluable knowledge in exchange.
Aside from fantastic recipes and techniques, we learned that there’s a lot more to the experience than just a good meal. It’s as much about tradition, memories, sights, sounds, smells, and flavors. Just observe how a Frenchman’s eyes go all starry when you mention the word “rouget” (red mullet) and you’ll appreciate how a simple fish can transport an expat back home.
The culinary landscape of Ann Arbor in the 1980s…
Over these past 41 years, we have seen lots of changes and trends. In the early ’80’s, we adopted European habits of shopping and dining. We saw lots of mothers with strollers buying a piece of fish, a bottle of wine, a baguette, and a vegetable for that night’s dinner.
We had more time, and it was still common for our patrons to cook dinner and sit down with the whole family on a weeknight. As people got busier and more moms entered the workforce, we had to offer them more convenient solutions. We added more prepared foods and salads and developed a line of microwave dinners (Monahan’s New Wave Cuisine), and entrées en papillote (fish steamed in a parchment paper pouch) with our homemade sauces or compound butters served over rice. We also came up with our bouillabaisse base, the complete recipe for the famous fish stew of Marseilles. Customers only need to heat it up and add fish and shellfish. Simple. We had moved into the age of convenience, and we did our part to make cooking quick and easy for our busy customers.
The Market in 2020…
Now it’s 40+ years later and we’ve come full circle. People are still busy and buying the convenience items, but there’s a renewed interest in cooking, with an accent on great quality, fresh ingredients and local when possible. We’re seeing customers interested in preparing bold international recipes, and we’re selling a lot more whole fish, octopus, squid, skate, and sardines than ever.
In 2004, our ultra talented manager of 30+ years, Bernie Fritzsch, and I decided that with all these amazing seasonal fish and ingredients at our fingertips, it was time to start serving lunch. We created a full menu of all the classics, including fish and chips, calamari, Bernie’s chowders, fish tacos, oyster po’ boys, salmon burgers, and more.
We also offer a “pick a fish” option, where the customer can choose anything on display, and we’ll prepare it with the sauce, rub, or compound butter of their choice. At last we can offer the complete experience: exceptional fish, a fun atmosphere, premium service, a sense of history, and a great lunch, too!
This is an amazing business we’re in. Every day brings new challenges and insights into a marketplace with a constantly changing selection of seasonal, healthy, and delicious bounty. There’s always something at its peak; there’s always something to look forward to.
I feel so lucky and fortunate to have been able to do something that I love for so long. We hope we share our passion for seafood on this blog!
Here’s to the next forty years.
Here’s one of our recipes from the old days- Almond Crusted Whitefish
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Congratulations! We love having you guys just a few steps away.
Wow Mike, 30 years, tell me it isn’t so! My how time flies. Congrats on a well run business and fabulous seafood, recipes and always welcome advice.
Thank You Mary & Judy! It is hard to believe how fast the time has gone!
CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!!
I am happy to say that I was there when you first opened!
Have enjoyed your wonderful seafood over these years!!
Here is to the next 40 years!!!
Cynthia,
I’m only trying to live up to the Kerrytown neighborhood icons like yourself. Thank you! Mike
While I can’t get there as often as I would like, Monahan’s Seafood is probably my favorite spot to enjoy lunch. Congratulations and to your continued success.
Congratulations from another Ann Arbor food business, also started in 1979, Best French Bread in Town!
Thanks Jeff! I’ve loved your bread since the Village Corner days.
I enjoyed reading your blog – wonderful story! I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been to your market yet, but you will see me soon. I like love seafood and have a major itch for some excellent bouillabaisse. Do you sell fish heads? Best wishes for 2021!
Thank you Brian.
Yes we do sell fish heads. We also make our own bouillabaisse stock and sell that. Stop in if you haven’t already 🙂
Congratulations and thank you for providing such a rare treat to all the seafood lovers in our community! Loved reading this stroll down memory lane!
Tammy S.
Thanks so much Tammy! Time flies when you’re having fun 🙂
Wow, Almond crusted white fish ..now that is going back in time. Don’t for get the buerre noisette!
Love this family .
Congratulations on the milestone. Given the quality of the fish, the customer service and the take out, it is no surprise you are so successful.
Thank you so much Andy!!