The holiday cheer was alive and well inside and outside of Wholey’s Market in the Strip District early Wednesday morning. The store was packed with patrons getting everything they needed for their annual Feast of Seven Fishes, a tradition popular on Christmas Eve. “We get the clams, we get the lobster, we get the shrimp, we get the sushi. What else do we get? We get crab because I make pasta and crab imperial, we do the clam with the spaghetti and the shrimp cocktail,” said Lisa Borrelli Dorn, a longtime Wholey’s shopper. “It’s a tradition for our family,” explained Borrelli Dorn. She added, “The fish is the freshest, and it’s just another thing for the family to do. My husband drives, and he sits there and waits in the car. My daughter, who comes in from D.C., she stands in line with me and runs around so that I can get some of the things and she can get some of the things.” For so many families, shopping at the store is as much a tradition as the feast itself. Customers were up bright and early, forming a line outside the store before employees officially opened the doors just before 7 a.m. “These people got up at 5 a.m. to be here. That’s why I get up at 5 a.m. — to serve them hot chocolate and coffee. It’s special,” explained Jim Wholey, president of Robert Wholey & Co.Wholey became emotional as he shared stories of return customers, some for more than 40 years, who come each Christmas Eve to shop with their family and friends. “We are so lucky to live in Pittsburgh,” said Wholey.

PITTSBURGH —

The holiday cheer was alive and well inside and outside of Wholey’s Market in the Strip District early Wednesday morning.

The store was packed with patrons getting everything they needed for their annual Feast of Seven Fishes, a tradition popular on Christmas Eve.

“We get the clams, we get the lobster, we get the shrimp, we get the sushi. What else do we get? We get crab because I make pasta and crab imperial, we do the clam with the spaghetti and the shrimp cocktail,” said Lisa Borrelli Dorn, a longtime Wholey’s shopper.

“It’s a tradition for our family,” explained Borrelli Dorn.

She added, “The fish is the freshest, and it’s just another thing for the family to do. My husband drives, and he sits there and waits in the car. My daughter, who comes in from D.C., she stands in line with me and runs around so that I can get some of the things and she can get some of the things.”

For so many families, shopping at the store is as much a tradition as the feast itself. Customers were up bright and early, forming a line outside the store before employees officially opened the doors just before 7 a.m.

“These people got up at 5 a.m. to be here. That’s why I get up at 5 a.m. — to serve them hot chocolate and coffee. It’s special,” explained Jim Wholey, president of Robert Wholey & Co.

Wholey became emotional as he shared stories of return customers, some for more than 40 years, who come each Christmas Eve to shop with their family and friends.

“We are so lucky to live in Pittsburgh,” said Wholey.