Shells Unlimited was founded in 2007 by Ron Sopko. This extension of his primary plant, Sea Farms, was established to supplement and aid in the growth of the family-owned business that dates back to 1987. Shells Unlimited’s history goes back much further than the ‘80s, though. The site itself was developed in 1966 and was first named M&E Seafood. In 1971 the building transitioned to Haywood Oyster Company, which was owned and operated by Calvin Haywood. Then in 1999 Calvin’s son, Richard Haywood, renamed the company Imperial Oceans.

Along with Ron, Richard later transitioned the company to Shells Unlimited, where he currently serves as General Manager. Richard has been working in the seafood industry with his family since 1962. Guinea, as the locals like to refer to the area, has a long lineage of watermen that have been supplying local and national markets with fresh quality seafood for over a century, and in partnership with Shells Unlimited, continues to this day to keep up the tradition.