Ike Hubbard, an 84-year-old craftsman in Jonesport, Maine, is facing a significant setback after his workshop, where he has crafted blueberry rakes for decades, was destroyed by fire on June 29. Hubbard is considered one of the last manufacturers of these specialized tools in the United States.
The fire consumed his shop, resulting in an estimated $100,000 in damages, including lost wages, destroyed equipment, and canceled orders. Hubbard, who has been in and out of the hospital over the past year, had recently returned to his work. The loss is particularly devastating as it occurred during the peak blueberry harvesting season, which runs from June through August.
Hubbard lost approximately $80,000 worth of equipment, some of which he fabricated himself, and about $8,000 in finished orders ready for shipment. He did not have insurance coverage for the workshop, leaving him solely responsible for the costs of rebuilding.
Employees of Hubbard's business have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for his recovery. The campaign is structured in three phases. The initial phase aims to cover emergency wages, cleanup, salvage operations, equipment assessment, and immediate fire-related losses, with a goal of $25,000. The second phase will focus on rebuilding the workshop, though an estimated cost has not yet been determined. The third phase will address the acquisition of new tools and machinery, such as a welding machine and a milling machine, with an estimated cost of up to $40,000.
Despite the challenges, Hubbard has expressed a desire to reopen by the fall, and his employees are eager to return to work. He was also developing a new rake design intended to prevent harvesters from needing to bend over. Hubbard creates rakes for various types of berries beyond blueberries.
