The few customers who wandered into Main Street Fish Market in Wakefield on Friday afternoon were greeted by a sign explaining why business has been so slow lately. Besides selling fresh fish, Dan Montmarquet, the owner, also operates a small restaurant, offering chowder, quahogs and fish and chips, among other things. But the green cloth-covered tables are empty at lunchtime. Montmarquet says business has definitely been affected by the Jan. 19 oil spill. And while business is generally slow this time of year, it's worse than it really should be.
Customers see the news and get scared.
But he hopes sales will get back to normal before too long. He said the spill has forced him to go elsewhere for lobster and other shellfish. Normally, he relies on the area fishing industry for about 50 percent of his supply. He is tacking on an extra 50 cents a pound to offset the higher price of importing his wares. The state Economic Development Commission is working to help out businessmen like Montmarquet by trying to clean up the oil-stained image of the local fishing industry.