Food pantry benefits from construction, T-shirt sales - Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald (subscription)

Food pantry benefits from construction, T-shirt sales - Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald (subscription)

By Beth A. Birmingham | Sep 10, 2016

Thomaston — The planned two-year reconstruction of Main Street has caused much havoc not only for residents coming and going, but also for the local business community.

However, out of the bad came some good Sept. 9 when Thomaston Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry received 25 cases of nonperishable goods and $1,000 in checks.

Thomaston Grocery owner John Vigue said the idea stemmed from trying to make light of the heavy traffic slowdown in late spring.

"I was at the store talking with coworker Lucy Laslavic, who mentioned her husband, Tom, was about to start a new T-shirt design business," Vigue said.

"We bantered about some comical themes for the shirts and came up with a few about road construction," he continued.

The slogan on the shirts they designed -- "I Found Thomaston Grocery" -- relates to the difficulty of navigating to Main Street businesses during the early confusion and congestion, Vigue explained.

"Lucy and Tom put together a great design and sent it to KDK Printing in Thomaston for the initial order of 100 black shirts," he said.

Vigue was amazed that after just two days of shirt sales he attended a town Planning Board meeting at which about eight residents paraded in with road work survival T-shirts on.

"It was an awesome gesture and show of support for our Main Street," Vigue said.

Since then Vigue has added blue and purple shirts and youth sizes and has sold around 200 thus far.

From the beginning, Vigue's plan was to forward the proceeds to the food pantry. Then Lane Construction pledged a donation, as did Nitram, the other construction company on the project.

Roberta Carmichael, director of the food pantry, received the donations. The food pantry serves an average of 75 families each month and services all of Knox County. It is sponsored by the churches in Thomaston.

"It has been a privilege and humbling to see the amazing support and words of encouragement from our community during some tough times for businesses on Main Street," Vigue said.

He said business had improved substantially during the mandated two-lane traffic in July and August. One-lane traffic is back in effect until December.

"The merchants are much appreciative of the spirit and support of our community to keep our Main Street viable," Vigue said.

He said many people from surrounding towns have declared their support as well and made the trip into town.

"The road work may slow them down a bit, but they can find Thomaston's Main Street," Vigue said.

The T-shirts are available at Thomaston Grocery.

Courier Publications reporter Beth A. Birmingham can be reached at 594-4401 ext. 125 or via bbirmingham@villagesoup.com.

Posing with the construction survival t-shirts at Thomaston Grocery are, from left, Lucy Laslavic, Sophie Vigue, and John Vigue. (Photo by: Beth A. Birmingham)

One-lane traffic continues through December at certain points along Main Street in Thomaston. (Photo by: Beth A. Birmingham)

Construction survival t-shirt logo. (Photo by: Beth A. Birmingham)

Beth rejoined Courier Publications' news staff in February 2013. She previously worked at The Courier-Gazette from 1981 to 1990.

Her coverage area includes Warren, Union, Friendship, Waldoboro, Washington, and Thomaston and RSU40.

Beth has a passion for photography, and a degree from the University of Maine at Augusta, in affiliation with the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockport.

Aside from photography, Beth enjoys running and walks along the waterfront, as well as other outdoor activities. She has a daughter, Claire, who is 15.