THOMASTON, Maine — Three Thomaston residents have formed an independent nonprofit community development corporation to buy the town’s only grocery store and support the community’s long-term success.
When Alan Blake, Jon Eaton and Seth Silverton learned that local pillar John Vigue was testing the waters of retirement and had listed Thomaston Grocery and the shop’s historic building for sale, the three members of Thomaston’s Economic Community Development Committee knew it was time to act.
A Thomaston resident for almost 40 years, Vigue has long been an active member of the community. He has worked with countless local youths, made regular donations to local food pantries and animal shelters, and demonstrated community-minded dedication.
In 1992, he opened Thomaston Grocery, and has run the shop as a local cornerstone since then. For decades, it has been a vital economic point and major social hub for the town.
Fearing a sale could mean losing what they described as an essential community service and downtown anchor, Blake, Eaton and Silverton looked for a way to ensure the future of the Main Street staple.
The result was the formation of Thomaston Community Development Corp., operating under the name Tommytown.org and with the immediate mission of purchasing Thomaston Grocery.
In a Wednesday press release, the founding members of the organization said Vigue shared their goals for the future of Thomaston Grocery and they had reached an agreement with him for the sale.
Thomaston Community Development Corp. is now in negotiations with lenders and plans to launch a fundraising campaign for this and future projects.
The new nonprofit joins dozens of similar organizations across Maine, including those serving Belfast, Vinalhaven, Rockland and St. George. Its stated mission is to support the livability, affordability and vitality of Thomaston while preserving its historic small-town character.
Tommytown.org is an independent nonprofit, separate from town government and not funded by tax dollars. It has applied for 501(c)(3) status, and donations are currently tax-deductible. The organization is also looking for interested volunteers and board members. The founders and other board members will not be compensated.
Anyone interested in more information should email info@tommytown.org.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.