SEAFOOD PROCESSOR IS FISHING FOR HMR SALES IN SUPERMARKET

JACK ROBERTIELLO

SEATTLE -- A powerful fishery and seafood processor here is demonstrating growing interest in home-meal replacement and supermarkets.

The Fishin Place, a subsidiary of Oceantrawl Inc., which produces a branded line of take-home seafood-based entrees, last month introduced a prototype stand-alone retail kiosk featuring fish burgers, entrees and fillets at the Queen Anne Thriftway in Tacoma, Wash.

The kiosk is located near the fresh-fish department in the store.

The company is readying two Fishin Place retail HMR stores in Redmond and Bellevue, Wash., with the openings planned within the next two months; and a 25,000-square-foot preparation facility and flagship retail store by July on the Seattle waterfront.

One of the largest commercial fishing and seafood processing companies in the country, Oceantrawl recently signalled its growing interest in the market segment by naming its executive vice president and chief executive officer, Ron Pauley, as Fishin Place's president and CEO. Pauley retains his positions at Oceantrawl.

The company's Queen Anne Thriftway kiosk is approximately 6 by 5 feet and is stocked with such entrees as barbecued salmon with dirty rice and pollock with peanut sauce and noodles, as well as sockeye salmon burgers, whitefish burgers and raw fillets, according to a person familiar with the store.

The company stores will feature salads, soups and desserts manufactured by Fishin Place, said company spokeswoman Tonya Lawrence.

Senior officials of the Fishin Place did not return calls seeking comment.