Euclid Fish is Celebrating 75 Years!

     We are excited to announce that we have crossed another milestone in the history of our company! This month, Euclid Fish Company will be celebrating our 75^th year in business. What began as a small fish market on Cleveland’s east side has grown into a full line distribution company, servicing 4 states and our local community with the Euclid Fish Retail Market in Mentor, OH. Euclid Fish has received countless achievements and accomplishments though the years and we have our employees, our local community and our customers to thank for that! There is nothing more that we value than our customers and the support that we continue to receive each and every year in business. We sincerely thank YOU for your continuous support and we look forward for what is to come.

     Whether the tradition started around clambake season, on Christmas Eve while shopping for the Feast of Seven Fishes, or during Lent while picking up fish fry baskets, our 4^th generation company has serviced many generations of families over the years! We are so thankful for the families that have carried on their traditions and especially for those that share their stories with us! We are honored to hear the memories made and how Euclid Fish has shaped some of their most memorable holidays or seasons.

 Because we are celebrating our 75^th Anniversary, we wanted to take this time to share our story, going ALL the way back, even prior to our establishment in 1944.

     Euclid Fish Company was founded in 1944 by Chef John Comella, and his wife, Betty Comella. Prior to the Euclid Fish beginning, John had always worked in the “foodservice” business. He worked for WM Edwards Company based in downtown Cleveland, sold hot cream waffles on Cleveland’s East Side neighborhoods, worked on Lake Erie fishing boats, sold clams and oysters from horse drawn wagons and catered fish fries, roast beef dinners, spaghetti dinners and many other food events for greater Cleveland organizations and churches. In 1944, Chef Comella started the business by catering clambakes out of his Hiller Avenue home in Cleveland, with his wife Betty’s help, until they purchased a building for a retail store on East 185^th Street in Euclid.  Euclid Fish first became known for their clambakes that they both catered and provided as take home options. This tradition is something that we still carry on today and continue to grow each and every year!

     Through the years, John and Betty’s three kids helped out at the market; however their only daughter, Marilyn truly fell in love with the business (and with a gentleman who worked there as well, Charles L Young.) Charles and Marilyn later married and continued working at Euclid Fish where they learned the business both inside and out. Once John retired, Charles took over the business and grew the company into both a wholesale distribution company and retail market. It was at this point that they decided to build a state of the art facility, constructed to exacting specifications and standards. As Charles and Marilyn continued to grow the business, they began to grow their family as well. As generations prior, their kids helped out at Euclid Fish through their middle and high school years.

     Charles and Marilyn’s son, John C Young, went to college and upon graduating, accepted a job at a seafood company in LA. After several months, John returned to the company to help grow the family business. John C Young soon became the president and later, the owner of Euclid Fish Company with his wife Terrie Young. His sister Susan Lanese began working at EFC in high school and is currently the office and customer service manager. John carried out his fathers and grandfathers vision while also expanding product lines and delivery lanes. Euclid Fish is now a leading distributor with not only the freshest seafood, but also center of the plate meats, poultry, bread, appetizers, desserts and gourmet specialties under the Euclid’s Finest Label.

     It doesn’t stop there… say hello to the fourth generation! Charles and John V both grew up at Euclid Fish, and worked through their middle and high school years prior to college.  Whether it was cleaning the dock, processing orders, helping in the market or answering the phones, they knew their passion lied within the industry. They both went to college and post-graduation, found their way home to Euclid Fish. Charles L Young is the current VP of Sales, residing in Pittsburgh, where he is also growing the distribution channels throughout western PA. John V Young is the current VP of Operations, focusing on plant processes, purchasing, and our sustainability program. 

     So what’s next on the horizon? Well, the way we look at it… we’re just getting started!

     Although our history has set the groundwork and original standards that we continue to follow after 75 years, we are continuously innovating, making changes and growing with the industry. Along with internal plant updates, new product lines and EFC Market changes, we thought that there is no better time than now to put an even bigger push on improvements within the seafood industry, all the way back to the original source; the oceans, the lakes, the fisherman, and farms.

     We are excited to share with you our sustainability statement, new partnerships, and involvement in fishery improvement projects! Check back on Wednesday for newest release covering all sustainability topics.

     In the meantime, take advantage of these awesome ANNIVERSARY DEALS! Also, be on the look for a chance to win a $75.00 gift certificate to the Euclid Fish Retail Market. Details to follow.