In the small town of Marathon, located in the vast expanses of West Texas near the gateway to Big Bend National Park, a pivotal community staple faces a significant hurdle. The French Grocer, a beloved local grocery store known for its eclectic mix of products and services, is currently engaged in a fundraising campaign to secure a new location after a lease dispute put its future in jeopardy.
Samuel Stavinoha, the store’s owner, has spearheaded the effort, appealing to the community for financial assistance. The campaign aims to raise $125,042 to cover the relocation expenses and ensure the grocery’s continued operation. To date, $87,948 has been raised, reflecting the community’s strong desire to see the French Grocer overcome this challenge.
“The support we’ve seen has been overwhelming,” Stavinoha shared, emphasizing the store’s integral role in providing not just groceries but also serving as a cultural and social hub in Marathon. As the only location within a 30-mile radius accepting food stamps, its presence is critical for the area’s residents.
Local businesses, including The Gage Hotel, have rallied behind the French Grocer, with significant donations and calls to action that highlight the solidarity within the Marathon community. “We are stronger together,” stated a representative from The Gage Hotel, encapsulating the community’s united front.
Key individual contributors such as Deborah Willbanks and Katie and John Ray have each donated $1,000, underscoring the personal impact the store has had on their lives and the broader community. “Wow Sam. Sorry this is happening. Good luck,” Willbanks conveyed, mirroring the sentiments of many who have contributed to the cause.
Other notable donations from Travis & Lydia and Mary Beth-Cole Schaefer-Altom, who each contributed $500, further demonstrate the community’s commitment to ensuring the French Grocer’s survival and prosperity. Schaefer-Altom highlighted the store’s role beyond a grocery outlet, describing it as a community gathering place essential to the region’s social fabric.
As the French Grocer navigates this transitional period, the Marathon community’s unwavering support highlights the deep bonds between small businesses and the towns they serve. The campaign not only seeks to secure a future for the French Grocer but also to preserve a legacy that has become a cornerstone of Marathon’s identity.
With a looming deadline, the campaign’s momentum continues to build, propelled by the collective determination to maintain this vital community resource. Stavinoha remains hopeful, encouraged by the support and looking forward to ushering in a new chapter for the French Grocer, rooted in the same commitment to community service that has always been its hallmark.
Image Credit: https://savethefrenchgrocer.com/
Texas Reporter 