BANGOR – For 25 years, McLaughlin Seafood has been one of Bangor’s pipelines for fresh fish, crabs, shrimp and especially lobster, but recently, owners Reid and Kimberly McLaughlin have taken steps to make their establishment even more appealing to customers.

McLaughlin has expanded its Main Street market to include more gift items and locally made products in addition to its trademark seafood, but the company’s latest business venture marks a whole new departure, so to speak.

Last December, McLaughlin Seafood purchased a kiosk at Bangor International Airport to offer travelers a chance to take live lobsters with them when they leave the state. Customers can place their order directly from the airport through a 1-800 number. McLaughlin guarantees delivery within a half-hour for a flat rate of $12, in addition to the price of the lobsters. Reid said the $12 fee comes from what customers could expect to pay for cab fare from the market to the airport.

“The kiosk has become very popular. More than anything, it’s a conversation piece and word of mouth has been important for us,” Kimberly McLaughlin said.

“This has always been a fish market, but I’m from retail so I’m always coming up with different marketing ideas,” she said. “We want to always be changing and I’m fortunate to have a husband that allows me to be creative.”

Amid all of McLaughlin’s changes, Kimberly said it remains important to stock products from local merchants. The market now carries Pilots Grill cheese spread, homemade seafood sauces from Maine chefs, and items from Artful Wares Flatware and Shards Pottery, to name a few.

No longer just a fish market, McLaughlin’s has become a one-stop shop for all things seafood. Though Kimberly said revenue generally dips at the market in the winter months, recent changes have given customers incentive to visit year-round.

As for the airport lobster delivery, the McLaughlins said the service hasn’t yet begun to reach its potential, but that doesn’t mean customers aren’t taking advantage.

“A lot of locals are actually using the service when they go on vacation or go south to visit,” Reid said. “Friends and relatives may not charge you to stay if you bring lobsters.”