H.Hopkins Ltd.

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H.Hopkins Ltd. In 1941, Herbert Hezikah Hopkins bought a Lobster cannery in the village of Port Morien, Nova Scotia. Herb loved the

industry and started work as a boy.

It is still in operation today with the fourth generation working there. Herbert Hezikiah Hopkins

Herb was born in 1905 at Bear Point, Shelburne County, N.S. His father operated a

fish business here and had the first lobster canning operation. In 1927, he bought a lobster

cannery in Mabou, Cape Breton and operated this into the 1940’s. During these

years, he also operated a fish business at

home in Woods Harbour. In 1941, he

purchased a lobster cannery called Acadia Products in Port Morien, N.S. from

David Thomas Leslie. For the first year Herb was in Morien, he and two of

his friends from Woods Harbour lived aboard the lobster boat they used

to run the operation. The story goes that when the boat had to sail to other

ports to pick up lobster, the men who did not go but stayed to buy lobster were left

homeless. This was a seasonal operation so they worked here in the

summer months and returned home to work in the winter. A few of the men met &

married local women and raised their families in Morien. Herb, being the family

man that he was, would often buy homes for these men and let them pay the home

from the wages they earned. He also helped the fishermen by lending them money

to purchase boats and supplies. Again the fishermen would pay Herb as they could. Over the next few years Herb built “the cookhouse” for himself and his out of town

workers to live. As many as ten men lived here as well as a lady named Mrs. Butts

who cleaned and cooked. Most of the salesmen would make sure that they showed

up at lunchtime so they could be treated to Mrs. Butts’ fine cooking. The

building is still in existence and serves as the office for the operation in Port Morien. My uncles office today is the former office of my great grandfather. My

father’s office is the bedroom of the resident cook . Over the years, numerous

buildings have been built to help the operation grow with the changing industry. In 1943, Herb purchased land and a building in Louisbourg where the present fish

plant stands today. In 1944, a piece of land was purchased in Glace Bay and in 1965; the Lipkus Fish

Plant was bought where the present operation is today. In 1974, Herb passed away but the three locations are still operated by his sons

Clifford, Glenn and Bill. Brad, another son, worked here all his life until his death

in1996. Edward the youngest son is a fisherman and fishes out of Port Morien. Over the years, Hopkins has bought and processed ground fish (cod, haddock,

Pollack, hake, halibut, and flounder) mackerel, herring, lobster and crab. Ground fish and lobster were all processed. Herb had extensive experience as a seafood buyer which he passed on to all of his

sons. Kenneth MacDonald wrote in his book Port Morien: Pages from the Past

“Probably no other business since the days of the coal mines has had such a

profound impact on the people of Port Morien as the Hopkins Fish Plant. Three

generations of fishermen have sold their catch to the Hopkins Company and as

many have raised their families on salaries earned at the Hopkins plant”

Over the years

hundreds of men and women have been employed by H. Hopkins Ltd. A local

fisherman named Thomas Bray has written a book on Herb.

How cool is this Lil baby lobster 🦞 🦞🦞
29/06/2024

How cool is this Lil baby lobster 🦞 🦞🦞

A late post as lobster season is well under way. The catches have been great to date. It is lobster season weather with ...
10/06/2024

A late post as lobster season is well under way. The catches have been great to date. It is lobster season weather with a lot of fog and dampness but it doesn’t stop the boats from venturing out everyday but Sunday ☺️!! Almost half way through. We can get er done !!! 🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞

18/05/2024

Port Morien Wharf Setting Day 2024 - Cape Breton NS

18/05/2024

Port Morien Wharf Setting Day 2024, Cape Breton NS

15/05/2024

Setting Day 2024 - Port Morien, Cape Breton NS

15/05/2024

Setting Day 2024 🦞Port Morien, Cape Breton NS





14/05/2024

Well it’s lobster season eve. Wishing all the bys and gals a great setting day and a safe and bountiful season. It is a short but super busy few months for everyone involved in the industry. Lord give us strength 🥰

Another beauty by EBphotography 😍
12/05/2024

Another beauty by EBphotography 😍

What a beautiful shot of the harbour and the signature red buildings of HHH. Plus a very cool shot of Flint Island. If y...
11/05/2024

What a beautiful shot of the harbour and the signature red buildings of HHH. Plus a very cool shot of Flint Island. If you aren’t following this talented photographer on FB you should. Her work is absolutely beautiful 😍 EBphotography

Cleo and Herb. A friendly game of chess ? Thanks to Glenn Egan for sharing this 🥰
11/04/2024

Cleo and Herb. A friendly game of chess ? Thanks to Glenn Egan for sharing this 🥰

Anyone remember this fine gentleman ☺️
10/04/2024

Anyone remember this fine gentleman ☺️

14/05/2023

Good luck to all the 🦞 🦞🦞fishers tomorrow. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous season ❣️

Sad to post. Another Hopkins boy has passed away 😔. Davie, son of Brad, grandson of HHH, passed away on February 14th. D...
26/02/2023

Sad to post. Another Hopkins boy has passed away 😔. Davie, son of Brad, grandson of HHH, passed away on February 14th. Davie was a part of the business for years working out of our Glace Bay plant. He will be missed by all that knew him. Condolences to his kids Jeff and Jenna and his brother and sisters and family and friends. May Davie rest peacefully 💔

22/02/2023

A depiction of life over the years in the village of Port Morien

24/12/2022

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all good things for the New Year. Cheers to a healthy happy holiday season 🎄🥂🎅🏻

Introducing Hadleigh Harlow Hopkins. The next generation HHH born to Jeff Hopkins and Jess. Jeff is Davie’s son, Brad’s ...
30/10/2022

Introducing Hadleigh Harlow Hopkins. The next generation HHH born to Jeff Hopkins and Jess. Jeff is Davie’s son, Brad’s grandson and Herb’s( the original HHH) great grandson. Jeff has such strong ties to the history , the family and the business of HHH and we are warmed and proud that he is so connected.  She is a lil beauty and all the Hopkins crew are so excited !! Welcome HHH 🥰 with Jeff P. Hopkins

13/05/2022

Well here we go. Everyone is ready to rock and roll . Traps take a splash tomorrow and the fun begins 🌊. Wishing everyone a safe season with smooth sailing and a great catch ! All the little villages have come to life again for another season . Good luck everyone 🦞

An oldie of the Harbour with some interesting landmarks in the background. Also before we went red ♥️. Photo credit to m...
01/05/2022

An oldie of the Harbour with some interesting landmarks in the background. Also before we went red ♥️. Photo credit to my aunt Pat MacDonald from Morien . Thanks Pat 🥰

Address

Head Office 11 Breakwater Street , Port Morien, Also Locations In Glace Bay, Louisbourg, NS, Cow Head, NL

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