Do great childhood adventures really influence one’s choices made later on in life? Apparently yes, in the cases of Keri Cassidy and Liz Ventura of the North End’s Mercato del Mare. Although the two funny gals hail from two opposite coasts of the country, both share a reservoir of fond fish-oriented memories, may they be capturing or consuming. Perhaps it was these heart-cockle warming anecdotes that drove the two partners, and pals, to abandon their previous office-oriented careers and fill up a cozy neighborhood fish market with fresh sea-fares, and cockles of another sort.
Since the opening of the market last summer, the ladies of Mercato del Mare have been busy providing the North End with much-needed fresh seafood ingredients, and many ready-made, take-home options. At the end of day, the gal pals still enjoy unwinding with a glass of wine, a can of cold brew, and dream about the day when they can enjoy a duly rewarded vacation to Liguria or Greece. Though the work is hard, they wouldn’t have it any other way, not even if given the chance to run away and join the Seattle fish market. “No way!” says Liz. “I love our little fish market, and being in the North End.”
Enough said. Mercato del Mare is here to stay.

Essential Q&As with the ladies of Mercato del Mare:

1) A group of fish is referred to as a “school”, studies have shown that regular consumption of fish improves brain function. Coincidence?

LIZ VENTURA: I’ll let you know. I’ve been eating fish every day since June 5th, but I haven’t tried the New York Times crossword yet.
KERI CASSIDY: No coincidence. I’d be a card-carrying member of Mensa if I’d actually spent the money on the test.

2) Surf or turf?

LV: Both, of course!
KC: I get seasick, so I prefer to stay on land.

3) Where in the world, do you think, exists the best seafood?

LV: In our little market, with Keri working her magic with our toaster oven!
KC: 99 Salem Street… or Japan.