Popular seafood shop reveals $1.5M expansion

THE excitement has already been too much to handle for some customers

NEW SPACE: Debbie Ahern and Natalie Fitzgerald in the outdoor area of their new Debbie's Seafood shop. Picture: Shakira Sellen

THE excitement of a new location for Debbie's Seafood has already been too much for some customers to handle.

A sign teasing where the new shop would be located had to be taken down as too many residents were walking in on site to check out the progress on David Muir Dr in Slade Point.

"We had a sign up -'Debbie's Seafood coming soon' - that we had to take down because too many people were stopping and coming in and looking," employee Natalie Fitzgerald said.

Despite the popularity of the business generally and the new location, a decline in seafood sales over the years forced the owners to move and to diversify their business.

Where food will be cooked at Debbie's Seafood. Picture: Shakira Sellen

Mark Ahern said the introduction of net-free zones in 2015 had forced the business to reduce its Mackay-caught fish stocks, but had spurred their decision to think of how they would sustain a successful future, including keeping on their 23 employees.

"The minute net-free zones were mentioned we started thinking what we could do to keep staff around," he said.

An outside view of the takeaway food shop at Debbie's Seafood. Picture: Shakira Sellen

"We're a family-orientated business, we know and look after our people and at this stage we haven't had to put anyone off."

Mr Ahern said staff know they will have to learn how to make coffee and fish and chips and they're prepared for those changes at their new store.

Debbie Ahern used to sell what her husband, Mark, caught out of one truck from about 1995, before expanding to open the shop at Slade Point in 2006.

Debbie Ahern and Natalie Fitzgerald inside their new shop on David Muir Dr, Slade Point. Picture: Shakira Sellen

"We're busting at the seams there (the existing site)," she said.

"We needed to think outside the square to think how can we value add?

"The next natural step was... you have the seafood so then you start cooking it to value add."

The family thought an expansion that included opening their first fish and chip shop would be the way to go. The move is only a few doors down from the family-owned business' existing home, but it gives them greater potential for expansion.

An outdoor area, coffee shop and all-round bigger premises are all part of the new-look store that started from humble beginnings.

One of the more unusual new offerings at the new venue will be cooking classes, which people have already enquired about.

Mrs Ahern said they will also be open until 8pm three to four nights a week.

A grand opening at their new shop is planned for Australia Day.

As well at their Slade Point store the business has six mobile trucks servicing areas such as the Northern Beaches, the Pioneer Valley and Sarina.

Originally published as Popular seafood shop reveals $1.5M expansion