Contributed by Craig Graves, Hanks Realty Group Realtor

Hey everyone! Craig Graves here—real estate broker at Hanks Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty—and this month I’m especially excited about our local business spotlight. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Saltwater Markets, located at 3414 South New Hope Road in Gastonia, and I’ve got to tell you… this place is a game-changer.

I’ve driven past Saltwater Markets more times than I can count. It’s right around the corner from where I live. But just a little over a month ago, my girlfriend Rebekah suggested we stop in and grab something for the weekend, and we ended up eating like royalty Friday and Saturday night. After that experience, I knew I had to help spread the word. If I had overlooked this local treasure, I figured others had too.

So I paid a visit to the store and sat down with Clint Boyd, the passionate and purpose-driven owner of Saltwater Markets. What started as a conversation about fresh seafood turned into a story about heart, community, and making a difference.

From Wholesale to Hometown

Clint and his wife Elizabeth came from the wholesale seafood world—connecting fisheries with restaurants and resorts across the U.S. and the Caribbean. But after years of high-paced travel and corporate life, they decided to bring the world’s best groceries to their own community. No more boardrooms and long meetings. Instead, they focused on building something personal and meaningful.

Their mission? Delivering ultra-fresh, responsibly sourced seafood—and more—to underserved markets. What began in Clover, SC, grew to Gastonia, and most recently, Fort Mill. The Gastonia location (the second of the three) quickly became a favorite among locals.

What Makes Saltwater Markets Different?

This isn’t your average fish market. Clint’s team doesn’t follow trends—they set them. Instead of stocking based on what people think they want, they showcase what’s fresh, seasonal, and sustainably harvested. And then they teach you how to cook it.

Whether it’s divers bringing in hand-caught seafood from Holden Beach or shrimpers delivering their daily catch from Beaufort, everything is as fresh and local as possible. The team even does daily Facebook Lives to let you know what just came in—so if you’re not already following them online, you’re missing out.

Guaranteed Goodness

One thing that really stood out to me? The Saltwater Guarantee. If you take something home, follow their advice, and it still doesn’t work out—they’ll replace it. No questions asked. That kind of confidence and care is rare these days.

Even if you’re new to seafood or feel nervous about cooking it, the staff at Saltwater Markets will walk you through everything. Rebekah had a few questions during our visit, and the team in Gastonia had answers and suggestions that helped turn our weekend meals into something special.

More Than Just Seafood

In addition to fresh fish, you’ll find steaks, local specialties, and a small but rotating selection of staff-prepared items to help you ease into cooking great food at home. Clint encourages his team to play, experiment, and offer something delicious to help “prime the pump” for customers who might be a little unsure about diving into seafood prep.

Building Community Through Food

What I loved most about talking with Clint is how deeply he cares about the people he serves. Saltwater Markets isn’t just a store—it’s a community-builder. Whether it’s feeding the hungry, supporting local causes, or simply making customers feel like family, the mission behind the business is just as important as the products they sell.

As Clint puts it: “We want to trick you into buying the best seafood and meat we can find—and then do great things with the money.” And honestly? That’s a mission I can get behind.

Final Thoughts

If you’re anywhere near Gastonia, Fort Mill, or Clover, do yourself a favor and stop by Saltwater Markets. Talk to the team, try something new, and experience what it means to eat fresh—really fresh.

Saltwater Markets

3414 South New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC

Follow them on Facebook for daily updates and fresh arrivals!

Until next time,

Craig Graves

Hanks Realty Group | eXp Realty

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to watch the full interview here:

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