QUITMAN — When it comes to quality seafood and hard work, Vivian Hadley hardly has any competition.

“My husband and I are firm believers in the Bible,” she said. “We believe if a man doesn’t work neither should he eat.”

Hadley opened The Seafood Market at 216-C S. Court St. in Quitman on April 23.

Although there is one more seafood market in the area, her husband was certain they would succeed in this business.

“The decision to open up a seafood market was by my husband, Pastor John I. Hadley,” she said.

The youngest of 19 children, Vivian Hadley was born and raised in Tallahassee, Fla. She moved to Quitman in 1987 and owned the Vivian’s thrift shop before she opened the seafood market.

After several months of hard work, Hadley finally opened The Seafood Market that specializes in mullet, grouper, catfish, bream, croaker, crab legs, shrimp, oysters and trout. She purchases raw fresh and frozen seafood from a locally owned wholesale firm that delivers twice a week.

Sometimes, Hadley makes additional seafood purchases throughout the week.

She said that local restaurants buy mainly mullet, shrimp, grouper and tilapia from her. However, her No. 1 seller is the mullet.

Hadley believes that the chance to meet and greet people is the most unique thing about the seafood market.

Hadley’s sister-in-law and her husband help her in the store during the day.

Q: What were you doing before you opened The Seafood Market?

A: I was a homemaker, housewife, and a home/domestic engineer.