his month we are spotlighting our most fintastic Member-Owners, Dora Swan & Peter Kenyon (MO#379), the dynamic duo behind fin - your fishmonger®, the Capital Region's first and only all-sustainable, fresh seafood market and casual seafood restaurant/raw bar. 

Motivated by their passion for environmental sustainability, community vitality, and great food, Dora and Peter have been committed Member-Owners of our food cooperative for over 5 years.  But these passions reflect enduring commitments that are even more deeply rooted in our community.

Back in 2010, there were no local fresh, sustainable seafood markets in New York’s Capital District so partners (in life and in business) Peter Kenyon and Dora Swan, decided to do something about it. fin – your fishmonger ® started in farmer’s markets and parking lots back then, with a focus on offering sustainable seafood products of the highest quality to an increasing and enthusiastic community and restaurant market.  The business uses trusted scientific resources to determine what they bring in from all over the world through Boston’s historic Fish Pier and continues to choose sustainable seafood products to help conserve the health of our oceans. fin has been a regional institution since the doors first opened, having been named Best Fresh Fish/Seafood in the Hudson Valley and Best Seafood Market in the Capital Region during that first year and continues to be recognized for their product excellence earning repeat Bestie Awards from readers of Capital Region Living Magazine for Best Seafood and Best Chowder. 

Pete, Dora and their team remain loyal to the company’s founding ethos: fresh * sustainable * memorable by offering fresh seafood by-the-pound, prepared items from their menu, frozen prepared items, and grocery items that are appreciated and enjoyed by “finatics” around the Greater Capital Region and into Massachusetts and Vermont. Pete and Dora raised their families locally and are Papa and Nana to 8 grandkiddos raging in age from 5 – 14.

1.What do you like about being part of the co-op community? 

Being part of a co-op community allows us to continue to serve the greater community in an egalitarian manner as individuals and as a business – creating a longer table to serve more people – recognizing the importance of nutrition and health and its intersection with underserved populations. While seafood is typically at the higher end of the protein cost scale we do our best to offer products that meet the economic and cultural needs and preferences of our many guests. Being part of a co-op community rather than a more traditional market allows for a more personal approach to serving the community.  

2.What will having a downtown grocery mean to you?

A downtown grocery brings the products to the people, meeting folks where they live, work and play. It’s easier for the guests to shop at a community market that has taken into consideration their many needs - putting them first, rather than putting profit first. That change in dynamic shifts the entire guest experience from location and products offered to how guests and members are valued when they visit.

3. What do you love about Schenectady?

Pete grew up in Niskayuna and raised his family here, frequenting Schenectady often with his girls as they grew. There is much to see and do In Schenectady and watching the community take on its former glow through the promotion of the downtown and waterfront is exciting.