Stonington Lobster Co-Op
Founded in 1948 by fifteen fishermen who decided to stop competing with each other long enough to build something together. Now the second oldest lobster cooperative in Maine, with over 80 working members, 120 shareholders, and a claim on a significant share of the 12 million pounds of lobster that make Stonington the top fishing port in Maine.
In 1948, a small group of Stonington lobstermen set aside their differences and formed a cooperative. The premise was straightforward: pooled resources, shared facilities, and democratic control in a business where waterfront access is everything. Fifteen founding members became a co-op; that co-op became the institution that underpins Stonington's economy.
Today the co-op has over 80 working members and 120 total shareholders. Members get discounted supplies, access to the co-op's docks and sheds, and annual dividends based on their catch. Because over 90% of members live in Stonington, the economic benefits cycle back into the community directly — not to outside investors.
The cooperative structure also solves a problem every fishing community on the Maine coast faces: waterfront property doesn't stay in fishermen's hands unless fishermen own it collectively. The co-op protects access for current members and, by design, for the next generation.
Stonington's distinction as Maine's number one fishing port isn't just a talking point — in 2021, the town landed 10.99 million pounds of lobster valued at $71 million. That weight moves through the waterfront, the co-op is part of that infrastructure, and the lobster you're eating at any restaurant on the island likely passed through this operation or directly connected to it.
Hours
| Monday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 4:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Mon–Sat 8am–4pm; closes at noon when no boats are out
What Visitors Say
"The best lobsters! The best price!! We bought 3 lobsters, 5.4 lbs. I used two for lobster pasta and one paired with lemon butter sauce. They were so tasty and kids loved it. It’s super sweet and tender. there’s one that got a lot of roe in the head, super delicious."
"The Stonington Lobster Co-Op is partially responsible for helping to put Stonington on the map as a lobster port and keep it there. They're one of the major players in town and do a great job looking out for each other. As a consumer, their prices are the best in town, the staff is super friendly, and the dock hands are fantastic. The only nicer folks in town are Leroy and the Fifields, and that's not a knock on anyone. Several times a year I'll drive up to Stonington to grab lobsters to transport down to Boston or Philadelphia (up to 14hrs on the road) and the Co-Op hooks me up with the freshest, healthiest lobsters. They've always got a great selection of lobsters including BIG ones and having been all the way up and down the Atlantic coast I'd contend that Stonington had the best darn lobsters in the country. The Co-Op is my #1 go-to, so I reckon they're pretty good."
"We landed our dinghy directly on the dock, and the kids all got to pick out their own lobster off the boat as it was unloading. Pricing was reasonable and staff was friendly. Great experience. We'll be back!"
Local Tips
- The co-op is a working operation, not a visitor attraction — but watching the boats unload in late afternoon is worth doing if you're near the waterfront.
- The best live lobster prices on the island tend to come from sources connected to the working waterfront. Ask locals.
- Understanding the co-op's structure helps contextualize why Stonington's waterfront looks and functions the way it does.
Connected To
- Fifield Lobster Co — another major waterfront operation, family-owned since 1940 at Burnt Cove
- Greenhead Lobster Co — major dealer buying from Stonington boats; ships nationwide
- Coldwater Seafood — local market and smokehouse with live lobster from the same waters
- Stonington Ice Cream Company — supplies lobster rolls through the co-op