If you grew up or lived in Lorain during the 1960s and 70s, then you probably remember the LaGana family’s fresh fish and seafood business on Broadway. It was one of those iconic businesses that symbolize Lorain in its industrial heyday.
We used to get our perch at LaGana's, that is, until Dad began doing some serious fishing with a buddy who had a boat. We also bought our cocktail shrimp there for New Year’s Eve, (although nowadays you can pick up a frozen shrimp ring at any grocery store).
Anyway, if you do remember LaGana’s you might be interested in this article profiling Vincent LaGana, the man behind the business. It’s by Staff Writer Glenn Waggoner and ran in the Journal back on November 7, 1971 – fifty years ago this month.
SINCE IT WAS founded 35 years ago, Lorain’s LaGana Fishing Co. has grown from a small, one-family firm to a corporation employing more than 30 people.
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Meet the Boss
Vincent Lagana: Fishing Still a Lively Business
By GLENN WAGGONER
Staff Writer
The company remains a “family affair,” however, with Vincent LaGana as president.
The business was founded by his father, Peter, who emigrated with his family from Europe. Vince LaGana grew up working part time in his parents store until his graduation in 1953 from Lorain High School.
He began working full time in the fish store, then took a factory job for better pay.
“Then I quit. I didn’t like factory work and everything that goes with it,” LaGana said.
He returned to the fish business, working in sales and then in management. Then with incorporation five years ago, LaGana became president.
Incorporation was the result of general rising business costs that forced the company to look for greater revenues, LaGana said.
THE FIRM NOW markets as far south as Marion and throughout northern Ohio.
“You read that the fishing industry is dying,” LaGana said. “It is, if you wait for business to come to you instead of going after it.”
This, in part, sums up Vince LaGana’s business philosophy.
“I also get a personal satisfacton out of seeing the company grow,” he said, “but one of our basic ground rules is we don’t take on something new until we’re sure it won’t hurt the old.”
“And we try to keep in mind the little accounts that got the business started,” he added.
“I COULD probably make a lot more money in a large corporation and have the fringe benefits that go with it,” LaGana said. “But this is a good life and I’m happy.”
LaGana is married to the former Kathleen Lindsey of Lorain, and the couple have daughters, Kathy, 14, Diane, 12 and sons Peter, 8, and Tony, 2.
He is active in Kiwanis, the K of C’s and St. Peter’s Church.
When guests come to the LaGana home, he enjoys preparing seafood for them – LaGana brand, of course.
And before he adds a product to the LaGana line, he personally tests it out in every recipe imaginable.
“Our seafood goes out of the store with my name on it,” LaGana said, “and I’m proud of it.”
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I’ve written about LaGana’s before, including this post featuring a “Then and Now” photo treatment of the store.
I wasn't a frequent customer of La Gana's, but the store was a part of the Broadway landscape for so many years, just walking past it heading north or south was a reference point on the trip.
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