SCRANTON, Pa. — With the Christmas holiday fast approaching and the first day of Hanukkah just around the corner, Schiff's Marketplace in Scranton is experiencing unprecedented customer traffic this season. Every year, this popular community hub witnesses a surge of shoppers seeking festive foods to celebrate the holidays.
Kilian Palmiter, a fish vendor at Schiff's, expressed the increased hustle and bustle seen this time of year. "Today and yesterday have been very, very busy, been packed all day long," he reported. This excitement is echoed throughout the seafood stand, which has become especially hectic as customers seek out traditional holiday fare.
Peyton Badyrka, another vendor at Schiff’s, noted the challenges of keeping shelves stocked to meet this booming demand. "It can get real hectic sometimes, especially with such a crowd, we end up running low on stuff, so we have guys running back and forth to the freezer, getting more fish, getting more shrimp," he explained. Customers are drawn not only to the familiar faces of sellers but also to the vast variety of seafood options available for the holiday celebrations.
The seafood stand at Schiff's offers tantalizing selections, featuring everything from raw shrimp to scallops and squid. Badyrka described it as the "holy grail" of holiday cooking: "We got our raw shrimp, we got our scallops, squid, all kinds of cooked shrimp down here, and this is the holy grail down here, lobster tail and crab legs, this is what everyone loves to see around the holiday time.” This abundance not only fulfills cravings but also plays a significant role in maintaining time-honored traditions.
For many families, holidays wouldn’t be complete without specific culinary traditions. Mario DeSavino from nearby Olyphant shared the impact of these customs: "We kind of follow the seven fish tradition, the Italian tradition, seven fishes on Christmas Eve. Although our tradition is a little bit different, but still a lot of fish. Not necessarily seven, but still fish-oriented." Traditions like these are deeply rooted and provide cherished connections to family and culture.
Alongside traditional preparations, many shoppers are also engaged in last-minute grocery runs. Dave Popper, the manager at Schiff's, noted the frenetic pace of holiday shopping. "This is the busiest time of the year, today is actually the busiest day of the year, we go through a lot of Kielbasi, Kolache, sausage hams, holiday items, a lot of seafood," he said. Such insights underline the community's emphasis on food during celebrations, making Schiff's Marketplace integral to local holiday festivities.
With only days left until Christmas and preparations ramping up for all holiday dinners, Schiff's Marketplace is set to remain extremely busy. The dedication of the vendors and their connections to the community make it not just a shopping destination, but also a place steeped in tradition and festivity. With the promise of fresh seafood and favorite local delicacies, it’s no wonder shoppers flock here during this joyful season.
Schiff's Marketplace will continue to be pivotal as families gather to celebrate the season, with streams of shoppers returning for last-minute purchases right up to Christmas Eve. The hustle and bustle of this local fish market reflect the heart of Scranton during this wonderful time of year, where culinary traditions come alive and bring families together through shared meals and cherished memories.
