When Amber Mae first married Eric Petersen, she always joked that she was going to open a fish market and call it The Fish Monger’s Wife. Eric thought the market was a good idea, but hated the name. After their first daughter Anna was born, the couple revisited the idea of opening a market. However, they didn’t want the overhead or time commitment involved with a store front. 

That’s when they found the perfect solution–become a vendor at the Muskegon Farmer’s Market. After an enthusiastic feedback from the market’s manager, Eric and Amber started selling fresh whitefish fillets at the market in June 2010. And the name they chose… The Fish Monger’s Wife. 

“Eric still hates the name, but people love it. At the market I’m known as The Wife.  The market staff doesn’t even remember my real name,” says Amber Mae. 

Opening a retail business was completely new for Eric who has fished commercially  with his family at Petersen’s Fisheries since he was old enough to hold a dip net. Meanwhile Amber Mae grew up working with her own family’s retail business. 

“It’s only natural for us to open our own business. We both grew up working with our parents and that’s something we’d like to continue with our own daughter,’ say Amber Mae. 

Each week, the couple purchases fish from Petersen’s Fisheries and then cleans, pin bones and packages the fish for greatest freshness. From there, Amber Mae takes the fillets to the Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

 So far, The Fish Monger’s Wife has been a huge success at the Muskegon Farmer’s Market. Area residents are initially surprised to see fresh, locally caught whitefish at the market, but then they are delighted.

To start off the couple plans to keep it simple by attending only one market. “Going to other markets would put Anna at a babysitter more and that’s not why we did this. The business will have to grow as our family grows,” says Amber Mae.

 Amber Mae says with a laugh, “We have an agreement. Eric goes on the boat, I go to market and the two shall not cross. That’s how we’ll continue to have a wonderful marriage!”

Click here for her website. You may email Amber Mae by clicking here.

Daily rental rates:

• Pavilion stalls – $7.00 (10′ x 3′)
• Asphalt – $6.00 (10′ x 20′)
• Grass – $5.00 (12′ x 18′)

This is a great opportunity for first-time sellers. You must come to the Market Office Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays to rent a space.

Call 231-722-3251 for more info. Hours: 7;00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Artist Bio

Ukulele Player and Songwriter Aaron Lee is touring to support the release of his new album titled The Ukulele Project, which includes 14 original tracks that all creatively and intentionally feature the word ‘ukulele’ somewhere in the lyrics.

Aaron stumbled across a ukulele in his parents’ basement and was quickly drawn to it for it’s unique sound and portability. As it happens to be the perfect size to strap on a backpack or a bicycle, the ukulele was always there when creativity struck, and Aaron began writing and performing ukulele songs. After several favorable reviews, he decided that this unique collection of songs deserved to be heard by a wider audience, and began work on recording the album.

To visit Aaron’s website and hear some of his songs, click here.

The owner has been farming for 58 years and the family has beeen selling at the Muskegon Farmers Market for over 50 years.

Address: 8281 W. Stony Lake road, New Era, MI 49446.  Tel#: (231) 301-9312
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