The Fishmonger’s Wife to close after 20 years

It was known for bringing upmarket fish and chips to Brisbane that customers would drive across town for. Now this beloved eastside eatery will close, bought out for a new food project.

Anooska Tucker-Evans

less than 2 min read

June 14, 2022 - 6:52PM

QWeekend

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After 20 years, award-winning Brisbane fish-and-chip shop The Fishmonger’s Wife in Hawthorne is set to close.

The seafood specialists opened in 2002 in East Brisbane, before moving to Hawthorne in 2017, and was credited for bringing gourmet fish and chips to the city, offering the likes of French beer batter, Japanese panko breadcrumbs, and a hugely popular gluten-free offering customers would drive across town for.

Owners Sue Ure and Steve Meadowcroft have sold the business to fellow award-winning fish-and-chippery owner Nick Copping, of Clayfield Seafood Markets. He will transform the 200sq m tenancy into Hawthorne Fish Markets – a multipurpose space with a seafood shop downstairs selling restaurant-quality, sashimi-grade fresh Australian fish, oysters, scallops, prawns and the like; while upstairs will be for takeaway fish and chips and burgers.

The site on Orchard St will also be home to Copping’s delivery-only businesses, Jack & Will’s Burger Joint and Schnitzengiggles, which will pump bun creations and loaded schnitzels for Uber Eats and DoorDash.

“We’re really ready (to sell) and we feel so blessed. I think it’s a wonderful transition,” said Ure, who will become a counsellor after she recently completed her masters of counselling at QUT; while Meadowcroft will move into home renovations.

Copping said he couldn’t wait to take over the site, opposite the popular Hawthorne Garage, and complete the little grocery precinct.

“It’s a very similar location to what we have at Clayfield with a butcher, baker, green grocer and … we noticed there was that gap in the market there for really good-quality fresh Australian seafood,” Copping said.

The Fishmonger’s Wife will continue serving their award-winning fish and chips until July 2, while Hawthorne Fish Markets hopes to open at the end of July/early August.