Hayes Fish Company celebrates 130 years in the fresh seafood business
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Robert Jaus grabs two fresh lobsters for a customer at Hayes Seafood House restaurant. Photo by Colleen Probst Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Jaus family will celebrate a milestone in the fresh-fish business as Hayes Fish Company marks it 130-year anniversary.

Robert Jaus, who owns and operates two Hayes fish markets and one market/restaurant with his brother Richard, said the family is excited and proud to have maintained the business for so many years.

"It is a monumental moment for our family," Jaus said. "A lot of other fish markets have closed down in the past because of supermarkets and other competition, but we have been able to maintain our business in a strong, successful manner."

Hayes Fish Company was started in 1877 by Alfred Hayes.

In 1903, Jaus' grandfather, Louis, began working for Hayes and eventually purchased the business in 1922, opting to keep the Hayes name because of its popularity.

"It was a well-known name throughout Buffalo," Jaus said. "Back then, they would use a horse and buggy to deliver products throughout the city. At that time, we were serving the top hotels and restaurants in the area. Everyone knew Hayes' name, and the products were of high quality and freshness."

The business was eventually passed onto the next generation, Jaus' father, Louis "Bud" Jaus, and has continued in the family line ever since.

"We've got the fourth generation working in the business now," Jaus said. "They are learning the ropes, and hopefully, one day, they will continue on with the business. Family is a big part of Hayes Seafood."

And, he's not referring to only those who share the Jaus family name.

"Many of the employees at all our locations are like family to us," he said. "There are some people who started with the business back when my father took over, and they are still with us today. The dedication of everyone involved with the Hayes seafood name is what makes us so successful."

Maintaining good relations with employees as well as the community has proven effective for the Jauses, who operate two popular fresh seafood markets at 3985 Harlem Road, Snyder and at 3279 Delaware Ave., Kenmore.

"Customers can get fresh retail fish on the spot," Jaus said, adding that market-goers can also pick up cooked, ready-to-eat fish frys at these locations as well.

With their third location, Hayes Seafood House, located at 8900 Main St., Clarence near Shimerville Road, the Jauses took the business one step farther by combining a fresh-fish market with a restaurant.

"We found that people are looking for the finished product," Jaus said. "They want their fish frys and their broiled scallops and their scampi, but they want it prepared as well. So, we thought why not try out a restaurant, and the Clarence location has been a great fit for something like that."

Jaus added that customers can get fresh products to go from the seafood house as well.

"With the seafood house, we are trying to bring a little bit of New England to Western New York," Jaus said while recalling a number of menu items such as live lobster, fresh clams and oysters, soft shell crab sandwiches, grilled wild salmon and Alaskan halibut.

Jaus said the secret to the Seafood House's success is the high quality products provided and served to customers.

"We do our research," Jaus said, noting that the company outsources for fish from Nova Scotia and Iceland and imports shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico. "We find the finest seafood products available and with our knowledge, which has been passed down through the years, we can provide our customers with some of the best seafood in the country. Everything is brought in fresh on a daily basis. You can't ask for better then that."

How about another 130 years in business?

"We are looking forward to our future and hope to continue this business for a long, long time," Jaus said. "We have to acknowledge and thank our dedicated customers and our employees who have been instrumental in making this business what it is today. We are truly appreciative."

The Snyder market is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Harlem Road location can be reached at 839-3354.

Hayes Seafood House restaurant is open for business from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The market at the Clarence location is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The restaurant can be reached at 632-1772. For more information, visit hayesseafoodhouse. com.