Planning Your Big Game Party

 

Hey Y'all, I have some employees sprucing up our website and part of the update includes me writing an About Us page. Sure! No Problem! Just summarize the last 10 years in 3 paragraphs or less! It's a question I get all the time. How in the world did this Atlanta Georgia girl ever get in the seafood business? Well, maybe you would like to know too so here's what I wrote: About Us Kathleen’s Catch grew out of a desire to feed my family really fresh fish. Occasionally at a very expensive restaurant I had been able to eat very high-quality seafood but finding quality, local, natural, and unique varieties to cook at home was close to impossible. Because I had a personal connection, I was able to start buying fish directly from Inland Seafood for my family. Pretty soon I was selling it to my friends out of the trunk of my car. Word spread, business grew and my car started smelling very bad. I leased a little space down the street from my house in Johns Creek and this is where Kathleen’s Catch was born. It was a family effort, painting and cleaning to get the store ready to open; today, the business continues to be a family effort. Long time customers have watched my grandchildren grow up. Two of my grandchildren and two of my nephews have actually worked in the stores. My daughter, Sara, is my partner and together we work tirelessly to bring the very best seafood products we can find to our customers in Johns Creek, Milton and now Brookhaven. People are surprised to find quality like this in landlocked Atlanta. There aren’t many businesses like mine here in the city because it is a very difficult and demanding enterprise that takes constant attention. These aren’t boxed goods on the shelf – this is fresh, highly perishable seafood that needs to go out to your dinner table just as soon as it arrives in our store. We work hard, very hard, to make sure that you are getting the best the oceans have to offer. It is a challenge but we wake up early every morning to make it happen for you. Come see us. Get Your Valentine's Day Orders In Now! There is still time to get your orders placed if you haven't already. You can go to our website to see your options and submit your order. Click here: Valentine Dinner Special OR you have the option of ordering through Mercato this year. Just go to our homepage, Johns Creek or Milton, and you'll see the meal selections. After you send in your order we will call you back to finalize the plan and collect payment. Don't forget: orders have to be in by February 8th. Don't be that guy calling on the morning of February 14th looking for this deal. It won't be there! How's Your Bowl Party Lookin'?  The teams have been set for February 7th! The Big Game party planning is underway at Kathleen's Catch. We've put together a selection of trays that will make your party planning simple and delicious and will also guarantee anyone a victory, no matter who you're rooting for!  You can choose from shrimp cocktail, hickory roasted salmon, snow crab cocktail claws, or shucked oysters! Sauces include cocktail, remoulade and Joe's mustard sauce. Of course, if you have any other ideas we will gladly put together your own personalized tray. We are planning for a big weekend so get your orders in early!

Special This Week (01/29 - 02/05): Halibut portions for just $11.79 each. Here's a great recipe to go with it: Pan-Fried Halibut with Potatoes

Catch-To-Go This Week Available until Sunday, we have our famous Low Country Bake.

Starting Monday, we'll have another one of our famous meals - Honey Jalapeno Salmon with Black Bean and Corn Salad.

And Finally

What about you? Have you given some thought to your "origin story"? How did you get to where you are? It's a good thing to think over because if you are happy with who you are, then all the mistakes, trials and tribulations of your past were worth it. They make you who you are today! So, give yourself a break because you are awesome and not just because you know where to find great fish. Blessings, Kathleen

Valentine's Day Ordering Now Available

 

Hey Y'all, Thanks for sending me so many hilarious responses from our mask question last week. I had mentioned some of my favorite reasons for wearing a mask (trying to look on the bright side) and asked you to send me some of yours. Here's a few that we loved: Kim said, " It keeps your face warmer in Winter, especially in the parking lot when you are going from car to store and vice versa." And I agree with this. It also keeps your lips from getting chapped! Tim said, " Nobody can see that little bit of lettuce stuck to your teeth from your Subway Tuna Salad sandwich." Or that bit of lobster from your Kathleen's Catch lobster roll! John - "With a mask all you need is a water pistol and you can be rich! This is hilarious but don't go getting any ideas! Liz - " Masks cover wrinkles" Of course this would come from someone with NO wrinkles! Jenny - "N o one can see your boogers!" I wasn't surprised to get this one from a mother of houseful of boys! And I thought of another one - When your dog licks your face you don't get dog spit in your mouth. Valentine's Day Ordering Now Open! We've made some changes to our menu this year that I think you are going to love. You can go to our website to see your options and submit your order. Click here:  Valentine Dinner Special OR you have the option of ordering through Mercato this year. Just go to our homepage, Johns Creek or Milton, and you'll see the meal selections. After you send in your order we will call you back to finalize the plan and collect payment. Pay attention here: orders have to be in by February 8th. Don't be that guy calling on the morning of February 14th looking for this deal. It won't be there! A few of our appetizer options are pictured below:

Special This Weekend (while supplies last): Fluke Flounder at just $14.50/lb! Here's a great recipe to go with it: Baked Flounder with Fresh Lemon Pepper

Catch-To-Go This Week Available until Sunday, we have a delicious Red Grouper baked in a cilantro jalapeno marinade served with southwest-style potatoes and broccoli tossed in a chili lime sauce.

Starting Monday, we'll have one of our famous Catch To Go meals: The Shrimp Boil Bake! Here's a little flashback of our Chef & Market Manager, Evan, cooking it up a few years ago!

And Finally

The strange inauguration this week was inspiring for some and worrisome for others. The change to a new government is a time of uncertainty about what is to come but I know for sure that that little girl, Amanda Gorman, touched the hearts of America regardless of political leanings. My favorite from her poem: Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished I don't know about you but I NEED to hear something positive after the horrors of 2020. Even if all you take away from the poem is the idea that a (young!) person believes that we are all in a process of moving forward. The political pendulum swings back and forth. But as we move from one party to the other and back again, we are inching a little further ahead as a whole. Right or left, right or wrong, let's all look ahead as the young poet says: And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us  If you'd like to read the whole poem, the link is here Stay safe this weekend as this crazy virus rages around us. Be well and be happy. Blessings, Kathleen

Valentine's Day Coming

 

Hey Y'all, I'm getting tired of my mask so I am thinking of as many good reasons I can (besides the obvious) to wear it. No need for makeup on your face, just do the eyes. No need to cover your mouth when you sneeze. Now you only need to smile with your eyes so if you don't mean it, no one can tell. A mask in the winter helps your breath warm your face. It's okay to have onions with your lunch because only you can smell your breath. Send me your ideas on how to stay positive about mask wearing. I will pass on as many as I get. Fin Mail (aka Tooting My Fishy Horn): Last week's poll generated a lot of flattering email. Thank you so much for all the fun and encouraging notes you sent! From Andrea Carroll - My experience with the John’s Creek store was excellent. Your staff does their very best for me throughout the whole year. I was amazed at the amount of volume y’all were doing on Tues when I was there to pick up for my Christmas Eve dinner. Great experience. During this crazy Covid year, y’all have been a life line for me. An essential business as far as I am concerned. When I didn’t want to venture into the grocery early on or other food choices were limited, you were open and sustained us, literally! We eat fish at least 3-4 times a week, anyway, but your store and staff was especially important to us this year. I am thankful y’all were able to remain open and get shipments from your suppliers .  From Richard Loehn – Since you were closed Christmas Day, one of your customers could not wait for you to open and really wanted some fresh fish (See this funny video here ). Valentine's Day is Around the Corner Just as soon as we recover from the Christmas holidays we are right into planning Valentines Day. Believe it or not Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for us. Why? In a normal year, I would be explaining to you why buying our prix fixe oven ready meal is much better than getting a late night reservation at a crowded restaurant. I'm pretty sure that this year I don't have to tell you why you should avoid crowded restaurants. Many restaurants have limited seating so that you can maintain proper distancing so it might be very difficult to get a reservation even if you wanted to. How about joining Catch customers for a pre-ordered, simple-to-prepare three course meal to be eaten with your Valentine at home with your favorite wine to linger over and your favorite music playing softly in the background? We've been doing this meal for years now and it has made Valentine's Day one of our top 3 sales days of the year. It's so simple. You pay in advance for your meal and then stop by to pick it up on Valentine's Day. It's already packaged and ready to go. Check back next week for the fully updated menu and ordering instructions!

Customer Recipe Feature: Hi Kathleen, I hope you had a great Christmas!! I finally added my Branzino recipe to my blog and wanted to share it with you. It is so tasty. I think many people are not aware how simple it is to prepare it so I thought you might want to share it.  Thank you, Shoshy Roback You can find the link to her blog and the recipe here . 

Specials This Week: It's the 2nd round of the NFL playoffs this weekend! Is your team still in the running to go to the Big Game? Check out these specials starting this weekend that will have everyone feeling like a winner! 21/25 count GA White Shrimp for $12.99/lb 26/30 count GA White Shrimp for $11.99/lb 21/25 GA Peeled & Deveined Shrimp for $15.99/lb

Catch-To-Go This Week Available until Sunday, we have a delicious Tuna & Veggie Casserole made with yellowfin tuna, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, and celery. Pictured below!

Starting Monday, we'll have a Red Grouper baked in a cilantro jalapeno marinade served with southwest-style potatoes and broccoli tossed in a chili lime sauce

And Finally

School is out in Cherokee County this week and next so I have one of my grandsons staying with me to do his school work from home. He is almost 10 years old. I remember his age because he was born just before we opened the first location in Johns Creek on May 5, 2011.

Now he is in 4th grade and I can't hold him on my hip anymore, but I will always hold him in my heart. Just when the mask-wearing begins to get to you and the sad COVID news starts to overwhelm you, look at the kids. They can bring so much happiness and help us to remain confident in the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your chin up and have a great weekend. Blessings, Kathleen

New Year, New Us

 

Hey Y'all, January is the time to re-think, re-organize and make new plans. That's why we make New Year's Resolutions (mine is to get more sleep) and buy calendars (I bought the very last 2021 calendar at Target). Because we have just survived (barely) the holidays we generally focus on how to improve our holiday performance. 2020 blew the doors off our records for sales and we are now working on a level we have never seen before. Your opinion matters greatly to us; after all, no happy customers means no business! Would you mind helping us out by taking a moment to help us by taking this poll below. We promise to take into consideration every single suggestion you have so don't hold back! It's your opportunity to be a small business advisor!

How Would You Rate Your Experience Over the Holidays? Great! I wouldn't change a thing. You guys rocked! Select It was good, but I have a few suggestions. Select I am not satisfied at all with the way my order was handled. Select

Will You Be Returning For Future Purchases? Yes, I love shopping here! Select Maybe, if some changes were put in place and things went smoother. Select No, I will not be returning due to my experience. Select

If You Picked Up In-Store: Were The Lines Too Long When You Arrived? Yes Select No Select NA - Curbside Pickup Select

If You Did Curbside Pickup: Did You Have To Wait In Your Car Too Long? Yes Select No Select NA - In-store customer Select

Now on to more important things! T-Shirts will be in the stores for sale this weekend! We have brand new shirts for sale for just $25 and come in 3 different colors (one color pictured here). Show your Catch love by sporting the latest in fishmonger fashion! Fin Mail (aka Tooting My Fishy Horn) Debbie Kittinger sent us this oh-so-gorgeous photo of her lobster dinner on New Years Eve. What a beautiful meal and beautiful setting!   Our NYE treat. Lobster bathed in brown butter, lemon juice, and garlic on a bed of linguine with asparagus. The lobster was delicious. Thank you!!

Specials This Week: Peeled & Deveined 21/25 Shrimp Just $17.99/lb

Red Grouper prices are lowered again at just $10.49 each!

Catch-To-Go This Week Until Sunday, we have a Hawaiian Garlic Swordfish served with Broccoli and Rice Starting Monday, we have a Tuna and Veggie Noodle Casserole.

And Finally I know 2021 isn't starting off on the right foot. Today is only the 8th day of the year and we are all glued to the news to find out what weird, upsetting and bizarre thing is going to happen next. I'm going to put on my hat of optimism and determine that we are just going to get this last bit of 2020 vibe out of the way so that soon, very very soon, things are going to get better. The vaccine is here or on the way, the seemingly endless political ads/texts/phone calls are over, and Kathleen's Catch still has the best fresh fish you ever tasted. Spend your weekend with only momentary glances at the news and enjoy your warm home, maybe a good book, of course, a long walk with the dog and intentional, determined peace of mind. Best wishes and all the blessings, Kathleen