Wholey's

Wholey's /ˈwʊliːz/, officially known as Robert Wholey & Co. Inc., is a prominent fish market and grocery store in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District neighborhood.[1] The store is known for its vintage decor, that includes a suspended model train, a bronze pig, and several animatronics. It also is home to a sushi bar[2] and a fast-food style kitchen, as well as a dining room.[3] In addition to the retail store, Wholey's also delivers fresh/frozen seafood and meat items across the United States.[4]

Wholey's
Founded1912 (1912)
FounderRobert L. Wholey
Headquarters
Pittsburgh
Number of locations
1
Key people
Jim Wholey (President of Operations)
Samuel Wholey (VP of Operations)
ProductsFish
Websitewww.wholey.com

History

Robert L. Wholey opened the store in 1912 as a meat and live poultry shop located in the suburb of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, where it remained until 1948 when Robert L. Wholey's son, Robert C. Wholey moved it to Diamond Market, a market house in what is current day Market Square. It remained in operation at the market until the city razed the building to convert the area into a park in 1959. This prompted Robert C. to move the store once again to its current and final location in the Strip District.[5]

Despite being known as a fishmonger, the business didn't offer any seafood until 1960, when it started importing fish from across the United States.[6]

In 1980, Robert Wholey & Co. purchased the Federal Cold Storage building on Penn Ave, where it continued to operate until 2007, when it was sold to a Michigan firm.[7] Demolition on the building, along with its iconic neon fish sign,[7] began in 2021.[8]

In 2012, Wholey's celebrated its 100th anniversary with a three–day celebration.[9]

Luke Wholey, a member of the Wholey family, opened a seafood restaurant called Wild Alaskan Grille.[10]

  • Wholey's famous fish sign, on the former Federal Cold Storage building
    Wholey's famous fish sign, on the former Federal Cold Storage building
  • View of the entrance
    View of the entrance
  • "Pig Parts" for sale at Wholey's
    "Pig Parts" for sale at Wholey's
  • Fish at Wholey's
    Fish at Wholey's
  • Bubba, a 22 pound lobster on display at the store
    Bubba, a 22 pound lobster on display at the store

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wholey's.
  1. McKay, Gretchen (2009-11-23). "Cooking with Gretchen: Wholey's fish". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  2. "Andy's Sushi". Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  3. "Hot Foods Kitchen". Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. "Wholey's Premium Delivery Options". Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  5. Guerriero, Justin (2017-08-03). "Let's learn from the past: Robert Wholey & Co". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  6. "Our Company". wholey.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  7. Lindeman, Teresa F. (September 22, 2007). "Wholey's sells wholesale business to Michigan firm". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  8. Holden, Mike (February 26, 2021). "Demolition underway at Wholey's, redevelopment pushes forward". WPXI. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023.
  9. Karlovits, Bob (September 18, 2012). "3-day celebration will mark 100 years for Wholey's". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  10. McCart, Melissa (October 11, 2012). "Seafood is fresh at Wholey scion's new restaurant, but other features need some work". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 11, 2012.


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