The Harbourside Inn

The Harbourside Inn The Harbourside Inn is located in beautiful Port Union Newfoundland. The Harbourside Inn and Cafe was built in the 1920s.

But has been restored to show off its natural architecture. From the original hardwood floors to the original fireplaces throughout the interior. Now all of our Guest get to enjoy the natural elements of this wonderful building with a touch of modern mixed in. Port Union is the only union-built town in North America. Construction began on the shores of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, in 1916. Within five years, a busy and modern union town bordered the protected deep-water harbour-all made possible through the hard work and vision of the members of the Fishermen's Protective Union (the FPU) and their first leader, William Ford Coaker. A self-made man and a tireless worker, Coaker had been a clerk, telegraph operator, customs worker, postmaster, and farmer in the years leading up to the FPU's formation. A collective-action organizer from an early age, he turned his mind to the problems of the Newfoundland fishermen and saw unionization of this powerless, dispersed group as the solution. Coaker attracted the first 19 men to join the FPU at a meeting he called in Herring Neck on November 2, 1908. During the winter that followed, he traveled around Notre Dame Bay, seeking support in as many tiny communities as possible. By the fall of 1909, the FPU had 50 local councils. By 1914, 21,060 members were signed up-just over half the fishermen in Newfoundland. Port Union was built to be the home of the Fishermen's Protective Union. Close to the communities where FPU support was strongest, it became the center of the FPU's business in all ways. The Fishermen's Union Trading Company, formed by the Union to break the merchants' stranglehold on salt fish prices and trade, moved its operations to the new community in 1918. By 1924, when the FPU's annual convention center, Congress Hall, was built and the Union's weekly newspaper, The Fishermen's Advocate, had also moved from St. John's, the town was a hive of mercantile activity. In addition to these enterprises, in its successful first decades, the Port Union could boast:

a retail store that served 40 outlets in other communities

a salt-fish plant with electric dryers

a seal plant

an international fish and supply trade

a fleet of supply and trading vessels

its own spur railway line

a pier for the government coastal steamer

coal and salt sheds

a cooperage and carpenter shop

workers row housing

a soft drink (or ìtemperance beverageî) factory

a hotel

a warehouse with electric elevators

its own power-generating plant

a movie theatre

a woodworking factory

a school

a debating club

a community nurse

a church built to commemorate the Coaker Recruits of World War One

The William F. Coaker Foundation, renewed attention is being shone on the significant heritage and buildings of historic Port Union. The now-restored Factory building is open for tours, and work and planning continues for further restorations and interpretation displays and

09/24/2026

MEET THE MAKERS - Artisan Trail
| Michael Flaherty – Wild Cove Pottery
Thanksgiving Weekend Event
October 9-11
10am-4pm
Check out our website for more info on artists and their experiences.

https://bonavsita-trinitytourismcoference.my.canva.site/artisan-trail

There’s something special happening at Wild Cove Pottery!

Join local ceramic artist Michael Flaherty, along with guest artists
Alexis Templeton (Alexis Templeton Studio) and
Beth Tucker (Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studio)

for a collaborative wood firing and a rare opportunity to experience the art of ceramics in action. Visitors are invited to watch as the firing unfolds, from preparing the pieces and tending the kiln to the anticipation of seeing what fire, heat and the artists’ hands will create.

This is your chance to go behind the scenes, meet the artists, ask questions and discover the skill, creativity and tradition involved in wood-fired ceramics.

** Discover the pottery-making process.
** Meet the artists behind the work.
** Experience craft where it happens.

Alexis Templeton Alexis Templeton Studio is a potter from St. John's. Widely known for her collaborations with chefs and artists alike, her beautiful shimmering crystalline glazes must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

Beth Tucker is an emerging ceramic artist based in the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios. Her work combines playful illustration with forms that are wonderfully comfortable and ergonomic.

Thank you to Alexis and Beth for being part of the Meet the Makers Artisan Trail - Bonavista-Trinity.

Slow down. Make it a road trip. And come see creativity fired by hand.

Now taking orders for The hot lunches at Catalina Elementary for tomorrow Friday September 25th.  Send us a message on F...
09/24/2026

Now taking orders for The hot lunches at Catalina Elementary for tomorrow Friday September 25th. Send us a message on Facebook messenger or call us at 709 477 2127. Payment can be made by sending an etransfer to [email protected]. Check out our menu below 😀

Reading reviews like this one always makes us feel amazing!!! 😀😀😀
09/21/2026

Reading reviews like this one always makes us feel amazing!!! 😀😀😀

Now taking orders for The hot lunches at Catalina Elementary for tomorrow Friday September 18th.  Send us a message on F...
09/17/2026

Now taking orders for The hot lunches at Catalina Elementary for tomorrow Friday September 18th. Send us a message on Facebook messenger or call us at 709 477 2127. Payment can be made by sending an etransfer to [email protected]. Check out our menu below 😀

We are so happy to partner with Catalina Elementary again this year to offer Hot Lunches every Friday!!!! Have a look at...
09/15/2026

We are so happy to partner with Catalina Elementary again this year to offer Hot Lunches every Friday!!!! Have a look at our menu below. Looking forward to serving up some wonderful meals 😀😀

Happy first day of school to Catalina Elementary and all the schools out there!!!!  Looking forward to another wonderful...
09/09/2026

Happy first day of school to Catalina Elementary and all the schools out there!!!! Looking forward to another wonderful school year.

We have 2 rooms available tonight Monday August 31st.  Our Harbourside Room and our Oceanview Room.  Enjoy a personal co...
08/31/2026

We have 2 rooms available tonight Monday August 31st. Our Harbourside Room and our Oceanview Room. Enjoy a personal cooked hot Breakfast the next morning. We are Located in Beautiful Historic Port Union on the Bonavista Peninsula. Call us at 709 477 2127 if your interested 😀😀

08/26/2026
What a beautiful night view of The Harbourside Inn
08/25/2026

What a beautiful night view of The Harbourside Inn

08/06/2026

HIKE DISCOVERY TRAILS NEED YOU!!!!!
Become a **Hike Discovery member** and help us develop, maintain, and protect the beautiful trails of the Bonavista Peninsula.
Your support keeps our trails safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone who loves to explore. JOIN TODAY
WWW.HIKEDISCOVERY.COM
Every membership makes a difference.
🥾 **Join us today and help keep the adventure alive!**

Address

80 Main Road
Port Union, NL
A0C2J0

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