Pike Place Fish Market

The Pike Place Fish Market began in 1930 as an open-air stall at the corner of Pike Street and Pike Place [1]. John Yokoyama bought it in 1965, a former employee who figured the purchase would let him cover the payments on a new Buick Riviera [1]. Little known beyond the Seattle area, it was nearly bankrupt in 1986, and that year Yokoyama and his staff took advice from a consultant named Jim Bergquist [1]. At that meeting an employee proposed making the market world famous, and the ideas followed: thrown fish, games with customers, and a staff that enjoyed the work [1]. News crews at the market during the 1990 Goodwill Games filmed the performances with customers, and an appearance on Good Morning America followed [1]. Four former employees bought the business in 2018 [1]. The crew works in orange rubber overalls and boots, calls out an order, hears it shouted back in unison, and sends the fish across the counter to be wrapped [1].