x
Breaking News
More () »

Detroit Red Wings fans' octopus source is going out of business

A seafood store in Detroit popular among Detroit Red Wing fans is closing soon.
Credit: (Photo: Superior Fish Co.)
Superior Fish Co. in Royal Oak doesn't hide from its promotion of what is officially a no-no -- the fans' practice of tossing octopi on the ice at key Red Wings games. On April 6, 2017, the store had a 32-pounder on display under a Red Wings jersey.

DETROIT - A decades-long source of octopuses for Detroit Red Wings fans is drying up.

Superior Fish Co. on 11 Mile near Main Street in Royal Oak is closing. The last day of full service is Saturday, and there's to be a sale on frozen fish — and pieces of the store "just as they sell the seats to to Joe Louis (Arena)" — the following week.

"We've been very fortunate to have that relationship with our Red Wing fans," said co-owner Kevin Dean. "We became known as the 'O-Fish-Al Octopi Supplier,' and we came up with the 'Octoquette,' which is the proper etiquette for propelling a cephalopod."

They'd even provide a kit, with the eight-legged sea creature in a plastic bag, along with a pair of rubber gloves and hand wipes. The store, which opened at a different location in 1940, had by the mid-80s become a popular place for gutsy hockey fans who would sneak octopuses into Joe Louis Arena under their jerseys, hats or even in baby carriers, and throw them on the ice after a goal — especially during the playoffs.

"Or, it's really cute: A lot of families would come in and buy an octopus as their children would play pee-wee hockey or ice-rink hockey in their backyard," Dean said. "And also, we'd have people come in and buy octopus to throw at weddings on the dance floor. I've never understood that one, but they're allowed to do what they're allowed to do."

During the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals between the Red Wings and Washington Capitals, they sold more than 100 octopuses per day.

Dean and his brother, David, worked at Superior Fish Co. since childhood. Their father, John Dean, returned from World War II and began making deliveries for Neuenfeldt Frog Legs in Detroit before he was invited into the Superior Fish partnership in the 1950s.

Over the years, extended members of the Dean family has had an active role in the business. As of Thursday, they were still about 25-30 varieties of fresh fish available, and several live lobsters were in the tanks.

Dean said his favorite varieties are Alaskan halibut and lake perch. He has three daughters in their 20s —all of whom have put in time working at the fish company — but none were interested in taking over the family business, he said.

The business sold retail and wholesale fish from the Great Lakes and across the world, and among its restaurant customers were Lily's Seafood Grill and Brewery in Royal Oak and Vintage Tavern in Port Huron.

Dean declined to disclose the selling price of the 16,000 square-foot building and roughly 3/4 acre property. He said they were approached by a buyer and that the family is glad to "end on a high note."

Across 11 Mile, a large development is planned, with the old city hall and police station to be demolished, making way for a green space near a new office building and parking structure.

Contact Robert Allen at rallen@freepress.com or @rallenMI on Twitter.

Kevin, left, and David Dean, co-owners of Superior Fish Co. in Royal Oak display sea creatures for sale June 14, 2018 ahead of their closing later this month.

Before You Leave, Check This Out