Moo Dog Press

“I love it. We have two trucks that deliver every day. We’ve been delivering to The Westbrook Hunt Club in Westbrook, Conn., for 40 years.” George Thompson III personally make deliveries every day all over the state and region, including parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Editor’s note: Local history is a particular passion of mine - learning the stories behind the names, the buildings, businesses - that will slip away if not written down or recorded. While wandering through the state, certain stops have become quiet favorites, whether to grab some real food when out researching walks for a new book, or when needing a break from driving to or from an interview or meeting. “Thompson’s store” was found when hunger made me notice the sign out front more than 10 years ago when walking the state for a series of stories that became a book.

Tradition. Personal service. Knowing their products and delivering what they sell. Plus a deli that will draw hungry people from miles (take a look at the size of those rolls, depicted below.)

G.M.Thompson and Sons Inc. in Mansfield, Connecticut, has been in the same family since the 1920s.

“My grandfather, George Merit Thompson Sr., was known as “Merit” - not George - started the business,” said George Thompson III. “In 1963 my father and my two uncles incorporated with my grandfather. One uncle left the business in late 1982 and then I became a full-time employee. Right now it’s myself and my father with my cousin, Burnie. We’ve always been at this location on Route 44 in Mansfield.”

“I’ve worked here since a was a little kid,” he said. “The core of our business is horse feed. We also have our own deli, which does a phenomenal business every day. The current state of the economy does affect us in that folks have cut back.”

The U.S. Post Office for Mansfield Depot was originally located in the feed store, but moved across the street. They actually put in P.O. boxes which we did not have here.The government shut that down in 1985 and there was a lot of public outcry. So the post office was actually here first in this store, went across the street, then came back.”

“We’ve seen a big increase in poultry including chickens, ducks and turkeys. Folks raise their own animals for the eggs
and meat.”

He hopes the family operation continues for another generation and beyond.

“We think we have quite a loyal following,” he notes. “I think it’s the personal service that the box stores cannot provide.”