HATFIELD — Staple restaurant Fishtales is officially under new ownership after the restaurant’s Executive Chef Kerriane Kelliher and her business partner, Frank DeMarinis, completed the purchase of the real estate at 5-7 School St. on Oct. 11.
Kelliher, who has been the general manager at Fishtales since 2012 and the executive chef since 2021, transitioned to ownership after previous owners Michael and Marilyn Fitzgerald decided to retire.
“I think this was always a dream of mine,” Kelliher said. “I’m really excited to see what’s next for us.”
Kelliher has worked with the Fitzgeralds for many years at both Schermerhorn’s in Holyoke and during her 12 years at Fishtales. She is a Cape Cod native who comes from a family with a strong restaurant background, including her father, who has been in the business for 54 years, and her grandfather, who has been in the business for 70 years.
According to Kelliher, the Fitzgeralds officially opened Fishtales in 2008, and she joined in 2012.
“They’re kind of more like family to me than anything and they just they really helped make me who I am in this business,” Kelliher said. “I mean Mike and his wife Marilyn just really kind of took me under their wing and really taught me everything and how to be a good leader.”
Kelliher noted that she will continue in her current role at Fishtales, and everything about the restaurant itself will continue to stay the same.
She said in the announcement of the sale that she prides herself on running a female-led operation in a male-dominated industry. Both of her sous chefs are women, Jennifer Duffy and Meaghann O’Neil. Collectively, the trio has 74 years restaurant experience.
According to a release sent out about the sale, Fishtales “will continue to be known for small, hometown cooking” and locally sourced food, which includes burgers, pasta, steaks and fresh seafood, like their $6.99 fish and chip daily luncheon special.
“What we’re doing has been working and we’re just going to strive to keep its reputation and keep going,” Kelliher said.
Her partner in the sale, DeMarinis, is the owner and president of Sage Engineering and Contracting in Westfield. He is a local developer, builder and manager of a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate properties in New England. Most recently, he purchased Schermerhorn’s Restaurant in Holyoke, which was also previously owned by the Fitzgerald family. In 2023, he became a partner of the Log Cabin Delaney House Hospitality Group.
“I invest in people, not businesses,” said DeMarinis, in a statement.
According to the announcement, the sale of the property also includes the Hatfield Post Office.
“I am always looking for new and creative ways to present farm fresh food to our customers,” Kelliher said. “The people of Hatfield and surrounding towns are so special to me. I am excited to continue to support them, as they have supported me. Over many years of working with my family and for the Fitzgerald family at both Schermerhorn’s and Fishtales, and for the Yee family at Hu Ke Lau, I was taught the work ethic and skills necessary to succeed in this industry.”
Fishtales is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays.
