Chicago's oldest fish wholesaler reportedly moving out of Fulton Market

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's oldest fish wholesaler is reportedly selling its building and moving out of Fulton Market. In turn, the corner of Fulton and Halsted may be turned into a new retail development.

It's also not the only departure. The historic Fulton-Randolph Street Market District is charting a new chapter are more historic businesses are added to the list of those lost to history.

Grant Park Packing will be packing it in by the end of the year. The 40-year-old family business sold its Lake Street property and is moving to Franklin Park.

"It's been a great source of providing for many, many families for decades and it's sad to see it, everyone having to split off and go different directions, it's real sad," said Lucia Maffei, Grant Park Packing.

One of the anchor wholesalers on Fulton Market is Isaacson & Stein Fish Company. The well-known fish monger is reportedly moving by the end of the year as well.

"It's so much fresher so it's worth the drive in from the suburbs, and yeah, I'll be sick if it leaves," said Sally Mordente.

"I would like it stay here," said Charlie Johnson.

The area saw big development after Oprah put her Harpo studios to the West Loop in the late 1980s. But more recently another one word icon has changed the landscape around Fulton Market: Google.

The area once bustling with only wholesalers is now bustling with restaurants, galleries and new businesses.

Tucker Pup's Pet Resort moved to Carpenter 10 years ago with 10 employees; now there are 40. The new influx of people and their pets has been good for business.

They pay higher prices for their homes, for their restaurants, for their cars, so we fit right into that storyline," said Jay Spainhour of Tucker Pup's Pet Resort.

No one from Issacson & Stein would comment on the reported sale and the developer was not available for an interview. Whatever happens on this corner, this historic district has turned a page.