Pike Place Fish Market facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Seafood |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Headquarters | 86 Pike Place Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Owners | Jaison Scott, Ryan Reese, Samuel Samson, Anders Miller |
The Pike Place Fish Market is a famous outdoor fish market. It's located in Seattle, Washington, USA, at the Pike Place Market. This market started in 1930. It's well-known because its fish sellers, called fishmongers, throw fish to customers! This happens before the fish is wrapped.
In 1986, the market was almost out of business. But new ideas, like throwing fish and playing games with customers, made it popular. It even appeared on TV shows and in national news. Today, the Pike Place Fish Market is a world-famous place to visit. It attracts as many as 10,000 people every day!
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How the Fish Market Became Famous
The Pike Place Fish Market was bought in 1965 by John Yokoyama. He used to work there. John bought it so he could afford payments for his new car. In 1986, the market was struggling. John and his team asked a helper named Jim Bergquist for advice.
Making the Market "World Famous"
During a meeting, an employee suggested making the market "world famous." They came up with ideas like throwing fish and having fun with customers. The staff decided to always enjoy their work. This way, customers would enjoy it too. John Yokoyama said they just decided to be famous, and it happened.
Rachel the Piggy Bank
A bronze piggy bank statue, nicknamed "Rachel," was made in 1986. It's a popular symbol of the market. Rachel collects about $10,000 each year. This money helps people in need find housing and services.
Appearing on TV
In 1990, the Goodwill Games were held in Seattle. News reporters visited the Pike Place Market. They saw the fish market's fun performances. Soon, the market was shown on Good Morning America. After that, many film crews and magazines featured the market and its workers.
Today, the fish sellers perform for many visitors. During summer, up to 10,000 people watch them daily. Another fun part is the monkfish. Sometimes, a hidden string makes it "snap" at customers! The market's success comes from its happy employees. These employees also give inspiring talks at businesses and schools. They have been in many motivational books.
In 1991, CNN said Pike Place Fish Market was one of the three most fun places to work. In 2018, four former employees bought the market.
The Fun of Fish Throwing
The Pike Place Fish Market is famous for throwing fish. When a customer orders a fish, the sellers in orange overalls shout the order. All the other staff shout it back loudly. Then, the first seller throws the fish behind the counter. There, it gets wrapped for the customer.
This shouting started as a joke on an employee. But customers loved watching it, so it became a tradition. The staff constantly yell to each other and chant while throwing fish. Sometimes, they throw a foam fish into the crowd. This can surprise people! They might also pick a customer to help with a fish toss. A sign in the market warns, "Caution: Low Flying Fish."
