Last month, Luke’s Lobster officially launched retail lobster products in Whole Foods Market nationally, advancing its partnership with fishermen and returning a percentage of sales proceeds to participating fishermen. This launch of the retail products (Luke’s ready-to-eat lobster kit and Luke’s ready-to-cook lobster tail kit) furthers a partnership Luke’s forged with the Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op, (THFC) and the Cranberry Isles Fishermen’s Co-op according to a press release from Merritt Carey of Luke’s.

“This partnership has made a considerable difference in our bottom line,” said THFC treasurer John Tripp. “When we looked at our numbers at the end of the year, the Whole Foods Market partnership through Luke’s made a difference in what we were able to return to our fishermen-members in terms of a dividend. This is a bright spot for us as an industry as we face potential bait challenges in the coming years.”

This news comes in addition to Luke’s Lobster announcement earlier this month of its plans to open a restaurant for approximately 200 guests (inside and outside) on Portland Pier on the Portland waterfront. It will be a year round space and have a full bar. “Getting the wharf rebuilt and functional was the most important part of this project,” said Cape Elizabeth native and founder Luke Holden.

Concern has been expressed by some as to whether or not there is enough public parking available for this restaurant. Local lobstermen and other fishermen are concerned about the lack of parking in the area already, heavy traffic and accessibility to the waterfront which makes transportation of perishable fish even more challenging.

Please see post herein dated December 28, 2018 for more background information on the subject.