Maria Sardinha and Late Lazaro Sardinha Recognized with Fall River Icon Award by City Officials

FALL RIVER MASSACHUSETTS, The City of Fall River honored a couple on Thursday who has operated a successful business in the city for decades.

Maria Sardinha and the late Lazaro Sardinha are the founders of David’s Fish Market, a well-known family-owned fresh seafood market in Fall River.

Lazaro and Maria started the business in 1961 as a small retail seafood shop at 257 Davis Street, focusing on providing the freshest local catch to customers in the community.

The Sardinha family built the market on quality and the personal selection of seafood from local fishermen. In the 1970s, Lazaro expanded the business into wholesale operations while continuing the retail side of the market.

David’s Fish Market has remained family-operated across three generations.

Over the years, the market has earned local recognition, including multiple Readers’ Choice Awards.

The business continues to operate today, offering more than 15 varieties of fresh fish, shrimp, live lobsters, scallops, and seasonal catches.

On Thursday morning, Mayor Paul Coogan, in collaboration with Axis Bats and David’s Fish Market, presented Maria Sardinha and her late husband Lazaro with the Fall River Icon Award in recognition of their long-standing contributions to the community.