the Chronicle

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“Boston Red Sox because Boston is my favorite city.” — Travis Bettencourt Willimantic

“The Sox because I have been a fan of them since I was an infant. The first outfit I was ever pictured in was a Red Sox one.” — Rick Brosseau Mansfield

As Seen In

“The Yankees because I’ve always rooted for them.” — Phil Moon Willimantic

“Boston because I grew up near New York and always had a thing about disliking the Yankees.” — Ron Owen Windham Center

the Chronicle

Asked at East Brook Mall in Mansfield

By Elizabeth Macauley

the Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn., Monday, April 9, 2018 3

G.M. Thompson and Question of the Week : Sons has deep roots CLAIRE GALVIN “Which baseball teamprofile are you rooting for this year?” Business ChRoNICle STaff WRITeR

MANSFIELD — Despite its size, there are things a neighborhood store can do that a big box store can’t. Knowing the customers — and the customers’ favorites — can go a long way in a business model. For G.M. Thompson and Sons, located at 54 Middle Turnpike in Mansfield Depot, the effort has paid off. The store has longstanding roots in Mansfield’s agricultural community. “It’s important for Mans“The Sox because I have field’s history, but it’s also been a fan of them since important haveSox those roots,” “BostontoRed I was an infant. The first George Thompson because Boston isIII mysaid. outfit I was ever pictured “It’sfavorite what city.” keeps Mansfield, in was a Red Sox one.” Mansfield.” — Travis Bettencourt — Rick Brosseau Thompson said his grandfaWillimantic Mansfield ther, George Merritt Thompson, incorporated the store Asked East Brook Mall in Mansfield with his at three sons in 1963. Thompson said his dad still works every day, but, now, he Above, owners Burnham and his cousin Bernie are the Thompson III, left, and current owners. George Thompson III stand The store sells large animal outside G.M. Thompson Sons in Mansfield feed, CLAIRE lawn andGALVIN garden sup- and Business profile ChRoNICle STaff WRITeR plies, pet supplies, bird seed, Depot. Besides animal feed MANSFIELD — Despite wood pellets and offers a deli and outdoor supplies, the its size, there are things a store offers deli sandwichsection. neighborhood do es. Right, the warehouse of Two delivery store truckscan are on G.M. Thompson and Sons that a bigevery box store can’t. the road day delivering at 54 Middle Turnpike in Knowing animal feed.the customers — Mansfield. Claire Galvin | Staff and customers’ Thethestore makes favorites roughly — can70gosandwiches a long waya in 60 or day,a ber of the town’s economic business development commission. accordingmodel. to Thompson. For Thompson “With a family busiThe G.M. family’s impact and on Sons, located at 54 beyond Middle ness, you’re more engaged,” Mansfield extends Turnpike the store. in Mansfield Depot, Thompson said. “You have a theThompson effort has paid and off. his father vested interest.” store has longstanding The store is open from 8 areThe members of the Mansfield roots Mansfield’s and agriculFire in Department, the a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday tural community. younger Thompson is a mem- through Friday and Saturday “It’s important for Mans-

“The Yankees because I’ve always rooted for them.” — Phil Moon Willimantic

“Boston because I grew up near New York and always had a thing about disliking the Yankees.” — Ron Owen Windham Center

By Elizabeth Macauley

G.M. Thompson and Sons has deep roots

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at gmthompson.net and by call-

ing 860-429-9377. Follow Claire Galvin on Twitter - @CgalvinTC.