“We really take pride in it”: N.S. couple keeps family tradition alive selling fresh seafood in Lunenburg
In the heart of Old Town Lunenburg, you’ll find Kelly and Jason Conrad’s shop filled with fresh seafood and family tradition.
“I’m a fourth generation Lunenburger,” shop co-owner Kelly Conrad explains. “My grandfather and great-grandfather were both sea captains.”
The husband and wife duo opened up Dory Mates’ Seafood Shop three years ago after they noticed something was missing in the town – a place to buy fresh seafood.
A tradition which Kelly says has whittled away over the years.
“Before you knew it, you couldn’t buy fresh seafood in Lunenburg,” she explains. “I saw that for years working in the restaurant industry, so we decided to open a fish market cause (sic) you couldn’t buy fresh fish. I sent all of our restaurant customers to buy fresh fish at the super market and it made no sense.”
Dory Mates’ Seafood Shop serves a variety of local products, some of which are caught off the coast of Lunenburg by Jason and, once in a while, Kelly goes fishing too.
“I do lobster, mackerel and herring,” Jason explains. “The herring we use to make our Solomon Gundy, which is quite popular. But it’s cod fish, cusk, swordfish, tuna, halibut, snow grab, Jonah crab, and if you have a special request, we can even try to get that.”
The Conrad’s say they look forward to having customers in the shop again. Right now they’re only doing curbside pickup.
Before the pandemic began, the pair also catered events. However, next week they’ll start their harbour-side lobster boils again, in partnership with Lightship Brewing Co. in Lunenburg, all while following public health protocols.
“We really take pride in it,” Kelly says. “With our ancestors, and keeping it alive here in Lunenburg, offering fresh local product that’s mostly sustainably sourced.”
The company offers a new take on an old tradition, built on love and a passion for the local fishing industry.
This story is part of CTV News at Five's Tides and Tables series. To see more visit tidesandtables.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.