A1A Fisheries is celebrating its 10-year anniversary serving local fishermen and residents in the Hammock area.
A1A Fisheries specializes in providing high quality seafood, including locally caught fresh fish, crabcakes, smoked salmon, handmade sauces, jams and jellies.
When my wife, Rachel, and I walked into the store to meet owner Chris Hazlett for the first time, he wasn’t available right away — he was out back working with a local fisherman to unload a fresh catch.
According to Hazlett who is a commercial fisherman by trade, this dedication to local fishermen and fresh fish is the key to the success of A1A Fisheries.
“Local fish, local catch, from boat to table,” Hazlett said. “We get it, cut it, and stick it out there.”
The customers agree.
“It’s always so fresh,” customer Debbie Duwe said. “We’re probably here once or twice a week for fresh fish.”
Not all fish is caught locally. The salmon is flown in from the Faroe Islands, located between Iceland, Norway, and Scotland. The cold waters and strong currents in that area combine to create an atmosphere where the salmon has a worldwide reputation for high quality and great taste.
The team at A1A Fisheries browns the salmon, then smokes it for three hours and finishes it off with a special glaze. It’s a customer favorite and people line up every day to get some.
“It’s divine,” Duwe said. “And we’re usually here at 1:30 p.m. to pick it up.”
When private chef Casey Clark stepped into the shop to buy fish for a personal meal, he expressed gratitude for the team’s assistance while he was in culinary school.
“[They] helped me with all my fish needs for my certification test at school,” Clark said. “It all went super great. Great fish. I love it.”
Clark, Duwe, and other customers expressed their enjoyment of not just the fresh fish, but also the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
“I think it is really the friendly service,” said team member Nicole Nagle. “[We] try to know everybody’s names to make them feel like they’re coming home when they come in.”
Hazlett has owned A1A Fisheries for two years.
“The Hammock community is awesome!” he said.
A1A Fisheries is located at 5959 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.