In 2014, Mother Ocean Seafood Market owner Sam Kosik saw a need for fresh seafood in Asheville and decided to fill the gap. 

His new idea was rigorous as he was driving down to the coast once a week to purchase and package fish before selling it on Thursday.  He got his start at the local ASAP Tailgate Market.  Due to the overwhelming response of customers, he needed to find another outlet to sell fish.  That outlet turned out to be the parking lot of Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian Grill.  Mother Ocean Seafood Market continued to grow in popularity and Sam knew it was time for a more permanent solution. 

That solution showed up across the street as a spot opened up in Merrimon Square at 640 Merrimon Avenue.  Sam got the keys to his permanent home in December of 2019 and began working to open his first store front in addition to expanding his tailgate market business.  Despite facing several obstacles to opening, including the beginning of the pandemic, Kosik was able to open the doors to his first store front in March 2020. 

The market is open Tuesday through Saturday, and Kosik continues to work local tailgate markets Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  He additionally operates seasonal markets in Lake Toxaway and Banner Elk, NC.  The team is excited to provide the best fish to as many people as possible.

Mother Ocean Seafood Market remains committed to bringing the most sustainable, fresh seafood directly from the coast of the Carolinas to the mountains.  The market brings fresh seafood directly to Asheville daily and they support other local Western North Carolina vendors through carrying ghee, pastas and other products.

We love our community!

The Western North Carolina + Asheville communities are filled with the people we not only aim to serve, but we also aim to support, uplift and have fun with! Not to mention that we wouldn’t be here without them — we’re forever grateful for the patrons, locals + visitors throughout this area.

We partner with several local organizations and small businesses (and even sell some of their amazing offerings at our shop!):

• Sunburst Trout

• Goddess Ghee

• Smoking J's Fiery Foods

• Firewalker Hot Sauce

• Devil's Foot Brew

• Wester Ross Salmon

• Geraldine's Bakery

• Takeout Central Asheville

• Kickback AVL

• ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)

• Halpern's

• Ipswich Shellfish

• Rio Bertolini's Pasta

• Gusto Seafood

• House Autry

• Tidewater Grain Company

• Farm Girl Foodie

• Lusty Monk Mustard

OUR LOCAL PROMISE

We are a proud member of the Asheville Grown Business Alliance + Go Local Asheville Movement, an organization committed to strengthening our local economy through businesses that value the people in our community, the health of our environment and the power of collaboration.

You can purchase a 2021 Go Local Card at our Merrimon Avenue location AND you can get 10% off of any in-store purchase when you use your Go Local Card with us!

Learn more about the Asheville Grown Business Alliance and Go Local Card benefits here.

OUR DONATION PROMISE

Pandemic of Love is a grassroots, volunteer-led and formalized mutual aid community, started by one person in March of 2020, which has now become a global movement.

"Mutual aid" is a voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services based on the principle that members of a community should take responsibility for caring for one another — and we do our part by donating seafood at the end of each week so that nothing goes to waste!

Learn more about the Pandemic of Love (and how you can help OR receive help) here.

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