This month’s Walkabout finds me at “The Lighthouse Fish market”, a staple in the north end neighbourhood maintaining old traditions and serving the food favorites of Portugal and Italy since 1985. Established as a family business by the late Francisco “Frank Miranda” (1954 ~ 2016) and his wife Elcina, immigrants from Portugal. Elcina and her family continue to operate the store. It began as a fresh seafood market specializing in Portuguese & Italian products and has evolved into more produce while still selling dry/frozen/salted fish.

May and June are garden season, with plants in front and down the side alley of the Lighthouse Fish market. It is plentiful and where l bought all of my plants this year in time for summer. July to September is Harvest Season (supporting our local farmers first) and brings:
• bushels of fresh peppers
• beans
• tomatoes
• cabbage
• corn

Festive (Christmas) season brings live eels in tanks and salt cod from Norway and Newfoundland.
The Lighthouse has a very European feel – bringing life to the downtown core and going above and beyond, serving our elderly and the local restaurants and banquet halls with good old fashioned door deliveries.

New inside “The Lighthouse Fish market” for 2022 is the Hot Table serving the flavors of Portugal and Italy with chicken, fish, pasta, veal and more, all lovingly prepared by in-house cook Paula Santos or try Elcina’s secret family recipe for over 40 years – her “Olive house mix salad”. The hot table is available from Wednesday to Saturday noon till 5. I have had the Hot Plate and l must say its absolutely delicious.

The Lighthouse is a community supporter of local charities and organizations, as Sandy (Elcina’s daughter) indicated is important, giving back to the community.
The family would like the thank their neighborhood customers and those beyond here in Hamilton and the Northend for their patronage over the past 37 years.
I would like to thank Elcina, Paula and especially Sandy for taking time out and to talk shop. The Lighthouse Fishmarket has a Kensington Market feel – good old fashioned charm here on James Street North.

“THE LIGHTHOUSE FISH MARKET” – WHOLESALE RETAIL
219 James Street North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L2. next door to “Morgensterns” (est 1968)
Tel: 905-777-0774 Facebook: the Lighthouse Fishmarket
Support the Small Businesses within your neighborhood and beyond.
Till next month take care and cheers.