It was only a matter of time before Freshy’s outgrew its space, but when you’re housed in a repurposed fuel station, that’s only natural. The seafood shack, owned by Bryce Caldwell, is slated to open an additional market just down the street in the retail space of the nearly completed Hadley mixed-use building.
“The new location strategically works out really well for us,” Caldwell said. “We want to stay where we are as long as we can, but since the owner of the property wants to sell or develop, we didn’t want to get caught with all of our business in one place.”
Located on the corner of S.E. 27th Street and 76th Avenue S.E, the Hadley building is named after floating bridge engineer Homer Hadley, and is a co-production by Legacy Partners and Resmark Apartment Living. It will have over 200 apartments, as well as a theater, sky lounge, rooftop deck, fitness room, and probably an elevator so people can get to all those amenities.
Prospective tenants of the ground retail space include OrangeTheory Fitness and Mioposto Pizzeria, whose wood oven pizza can be taken to go and eaten in the 5900 square-foot public plaza, preferably in front of the OrangeTheory Fitness windows.
The new store is modeled on European fish markets, and will emphasize direct shipment of local and live seafood, introducing “a full service shopping experience similar to what is found in communities throughout Europe void of mass produced grocery items,” said Caldwell in a recent press release. Along with the seafood fare found at the original location, customers can expect to find hormone free meats, free range local poultry, farmstead milk and cheese, organic produce, and an array of local wines and beers.
For those looking for the appearance of home cooking, the premade meal options are being expanded as well, adding Chicken Cordon Bleu, Beef Wellington, Bulgoki, and seafood salad choices.
Established in 2010, Freshy’s based its approach on Chinook’s Seafood, a family-owned wholesale seafood business that worked with local fishermen from the Willapa and Ilwaco bay area, where Caldwell is from.
The Hadley building in mid-construction
This expansion is not to say that Freshy’s original location is going anywhere soon.
“The repurposed gas station captures the whole attitude of what we’re trying to do with sustainability,” Caldwell said. “It’s a prime spot, close to parks, and provides that local family feel. We’re hoping to be there for awhile.”
In the mean time, more subtle changes are planned for the charming former gas station, including additional indoor seating and menu options. Caldwell anticipates a December 1 opening for the new location in the Hadley Buildling.
Freshy’s Seafood Market is currently located at 2411 76th Ave SE. Learn more about Freshy’s at: www.freshysseafoodmarket.com
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Photos by Laura Schaps, Aurai Photography
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