by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Three times a week for nearly three years, Joyce Gallimore feeds the fish at the Landing.
The receptionist and administrative assistant at the Downtown shopping center is in charge of the fish living in two tanks at the top of the second floor escalators. One tank is home to several exotic saltwater species, including a puffer fish. The other is stocked with local marine life.
The inspiration for the displays came when Landing owner Toney Sleiman talked to a vendor who was exhibiting a fish collection. Sleiman offered to provide an enclosed aquarium, keep it clean and feed the fish if the man would provide a few residents.
The fish proved to be so popular with patrons that within six months, another tank was installed. Gallimore feeds them a menu of commercial fish food, seaweed and shrimp.
“I feed them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. When I go on vacation, I make sure someone will take over while I’m gone,” she said. “They’re like my children. When I head out the door with the food, I tell everybody, ‘I’m going to feed the kids.’ ”