Steve Bennett. Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) has selected Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market as the 2022 Small Business of the Year for the 37th Assembly District.
Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, located in the Ventura Harbor, is one of the oldest continually owned and operated restaurants in Ventura. Michael Wagner started the business 40 years ago for his young daughter Andria who is now heavily involved in the day to day operations of the business. Andria’s accounts for 27% of all restaurant revenue in the Ventura Harbor. This year Michael and Andria celebrated the 40th anniversary of Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market.
During the pandemic, Andria’s was uniquely positioned to continue to serve patrons with to go orders and outdoor seating, due to the majority of their tables being on the patio. They were also able to keep all of their employees, most of which have been with them for decades, and they actually increased their business by nearly 25%. They have been a favorite of residents and visitors alike and still serve many of the original menu items, including their most popular menu item over the past 40 years, their fish and chips.
“It is a great honor to recognize Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market as the 37th Assembly District’s 2022 Small Business of the Year for their dedicated business and contributions to our community. Andria’s is one of the foundational businesses in both the harbor and the City of Ventura both in terms of their economic vitality and the warm family relationship they have created with both their employees and their customers,” said Assemblymember Bennett. “They are a role model for all of us.”
In 2000, Assembly Resolution HR-57 passed unanimously to recognize the importance of small businesses to the state’s economy. Owner Michael Wagner and his daughter Andria from Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market joined Assemblymember Steve Bennett in Sacramento on August 17, 2022 to celebrate this recognition.