ASHTABULA — Albino’s Fish Market is an Ashtabula icon with a passion for people.
“I am 81 years old and still working. It is the people; you got to be good to people,” said Albino Volpi, owner of the fish market, located at 2244 Lake Ave., since 1980.
In 1961, Volpi opened Albino’s Meat Market. In 1980, Volpi’s son Tom took over the meat market, and Albino opened his fish market.
Volpi has been married to his wife, Eunice, for 57 years and readily tells his customers he is still in love.
“She is a good wife. She spoils me,” he said.
John Paolillo, of Ashtabula, has been coming to the fish market for as long as he can remember.
“He (Volpi) is like a relative to me. The longer you stay here, the more you go home with,” Paolillo said. “He will say: ‘Here try this. Take this home for the kids.’ I don’t know how he stays in business.”
It is loyal customers like Paolillo, and fresh-fish lovers who drive from far away, who have sustained Albino’s all of these years.
In fact, Volpi keeps a diary of out-of-town customers, and he has had customers from Washington, D.C., Sarasota, Fla., Youngstown, Beaver Falls, Pa., and more.
“It is the fresh high-quality seafood we sell and our reasonable prices,” Volpi said. “You got to keep the prices down to keep going in this economy. You got to be fair with the people.”
It is Volpi’s passion for people that keeps him coming to work.
“I love to see the children,” Volpi said. “All my customers are good people.”
Elix Perez, of Ashtabula, has been a customer at Albino’s Fish Market for as long as she can remember, and that’s because her parents were customers when she was young.
“I like coming here,” Perez said, as she purchased some Goya food items.
Along with a store full of fish, squid, shrimp and crab, Albino’s also sells a full line of Goya foods.
“King crab and snow crab are still very popular here,” Volpi said.
But the snapping turtle in the aquarium is not for sale.
“That is Josephine, and she is a pet. The kids just love coming to see her,” Volpi said. “I love all animals.”
For further information, contact Albino’s Fish Market (440-998-1154) or Albino’s Meats and Catering ( 440-997-0791). The latter is located at 2316 Lake Ave.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Albino’s Fish Market is an Ashtabula icon
SUCCESS IN HARD TIMES
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
