Shed to shop: Boston man opens Bonavista fish market

If you're looking for a feed of fish this summer, there's a treasure trove of it in a little red shed in Bonavista, knownas the Salt Box Specialty Market.

"We envision once tourism season gets in full swing with vacation homes and things like that, [people] will have the ability to do a bit of their own cooking and try some local seafood," says owner Paul Babineau.

The store opened at the end of May and sells crab, lobster,bottled and fresh mussels, with a plan to add cod and local berries later in the season.

Babineau said the opportunity for the market came when local fish vendor, Caleb Becker, was looking to expand his business and asked Babineau if he was interested in coming aboard.

Babineau, who moved to Bonavista seven years ago from Boston, said he had the perfect location an old shed, once used to store fishing gear,in front of his century-old home.

He made some modifications, adding fish bins and several freezers for storage, as well as a road sign tocatch the attention of people driving by.

Babineau saidhis business, located on Hospital Road, is doing well,selling to restaurants in the area and to locals.

"Some find it very handyjust to pull over and grab a meal for dinner," he said.

But Babineau admits itcan be costly to get supplies.

"Getting things down the Bonavista Peninsula can be a bit of a challenge in trucking costs, but we're making it work," he said.

Another challenge is figuring out how muchsupply to have on hand. But, Babineau has plans to solve that problem, as business increases, that will hopefully entice even more customers.

"Hopefully, with the lobsters, we can get some type of a holding tank and permit to do that that we can keep our lobsters out at sea and each morning be able to get a days supply," he said.