Liisa Karkkainen’s The Fish Shop has been in business for 54 years and has become a popular stop for both visitors and locals within the region of Thunder Bay. Upon entering the shop visitors are sure to notice the prominent initialled antique scale that is the heart of this bustling local business. The Fish Shop with its boutique elegance and style is best known for both its traditional Finnish smoked fish and impressive selection of amethyst rocks, ornaments, figurines, jewellery and so much more!
Karkkainen fondly recalls first moving as a child to the property situated along the former Trans-Canada Highway, now Lakeshore Drive, during the winter of 1970. Her family had purchased the birch-filled property just as they were transitioning into the fishing industry. Her family was not intimidated by Lake Superior as her parents were from Puumala, Finland and were familiar and confident with the demands and lifestyle that commercial fishing presented.
The first building on the property was a sauna. Her family slept in the sauna for three days before their small trailer arrived, which once stood on the far side of their present-day parking lot. Her family’s rough outhouse was a welcomed addition that first winter.
Karkkainen recalls with pride how her Uncle Arvo smoked fish out at Point Magnet Island at their fishing camps and then brought it back to her mother to sell. Hilkka, Karkkainen’s mother would leave their ‘wee trailer’ to tend to arriving customers desiring smoked fish.
Thoroughly sweeping the floor and keeping the property clear of brush with a wooden handled Kosack machete are just some of Karkkainen’s early memories and contributions to her family’s business. Karkkainen still spends time trimming and detailing her property with much appreciated DeWalt power tool upgrades. She did not like her chores as a child, but now recognizes the significance her family’s work ethic played on influencing her own business values and personal resilience.
In addition to her childhood chores, Karkkainen took on the responsibility of selling amethyst from her family’s property. Originally, the family amethyst sales were sourced from their property and sold that very first summer by Karkkainen from a rustic display table.The table sat outside on the side of the very busy former Trans-Canada Highway. The simplistic signage read “For Sale Fresh Smoked Fish Amethyst For Sale.” Karkkainen recalls her sincere joy when earning early meager sales of between $5 and $10. Her present-day amethyst inventory is widely sourced and encompasses both local and international specimens.
Karkkainen recommends that visitors to the City of Thunder Bay and region explore Ouimet Canyon and the Thunder Bay Lookout near Pass Lake. If heights are not within your comfort, there are still hiking and other activities to experience. Karkkainen also recommends visitors experience Fort William Historical Park. She has always valued Thunder Bay’s early history within the fur trade and describes this region as the heart of Canada. The history of the Coureurs des Bois, their work ethic and commerce from long past have always impressed Karkkainen. Fort William Historical Park provides a glimpse into the early beginning of Canada and what is both impressive and significant to Karkkainen is that this re-enactment site is not a military fort as is the common case across the North American continent.
When asked what her favourite merchandise within her shop is, Karkkainen identified her “amethyst sphere bracelets, as they are easy to wear and there is no metal or clasp which makes them ideal for everybody!” Karkkainen shares how these bracelets are nice to stack with Tiffany (silver-hardball) and Pandora bracelets. Karkkainen has always appreciated unique amethyst specimens and her current favourite is a piece that appears as a sort of ‘amethyst sandwich.’
The Fish Shop is open May 1st until October 30th, 2024. The shop is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (closed Mondays).
