In an impressive tour de force of lobster roll making, the owners of Larson’s Lunchbox served up 207 lobster rolls during a fundraiser for the Ecumenical Food Pantry July 14. Billy, Barbara “Barb” and son Eli Ganem raised $1120 in lobster roll sales and small donations at their Main St. storefront.
“It was time to give back to the community,” said Billy Ganem, head cook and grillmaster at Larson’s.
The Ganems opened their storefront on a day they are usually closed in order to help the pantry. Six local churches spread word of the fundraising event. Their advertising proved wildly successful: a long line remained outside the order window from the event’s 10:30 a.m. opening to 2:15 p.m. in the afternoon. Selling a $11.95 meal deal consisting of a lobster roll, chips, and drink, the Ganems went through 75 pounds of lobster before closing at 3 p.m.
Billy Ganem made the lobster rolls while his wife Barb worked the service window. Their son, Eli, served sodas to parched customers. After covering base expenses, the Ganems took in $900 from lobster roll sales and $120 in individual donations. Non-perishable food donations were also collected.
July 14’s lobster roll event marks the second consecutive year that the Ganems have raised money for local charities. Last summer they sold 197 lobster rolls for Habitat for Humanity. Despite smashing their previous lobster roll tally by 10, the Ganems don’t plan on breaking their record next year.
“We’re going to try to shoot for 200 again, “said Billy Ganem.
The Ganems took over Larson’s Lunchbox in 2006. Hailing from Plymouth, Mass., the Ganems first went to Larson’s when visiting Billy’s parents. His father told them that they had to go to Larson’s while they were visiting. The roadside stand made a big impression on the family.
“I said, I’d love to own a place like that,” said Billy Ganem, who has worked in the restaurant business all his life. Both he and his wife had always wanted to have a business together. The Ganems eventually purchased the stand after the previous owners closed the business. Finding an old menu, the Ganems attempted to bring Larson’s back to its heyday. They brought back local favorites like American Chop Suey, along with mainstays like lobster rolls and chowder, to their stand.
“We pieced it back together, “said Barb Ganem, “We had nothing to go on.”
Going on their fifth season in operation, the owners of Larson’s Lunchbox were excited to help out the community that has allowed them to grow into a popular roadside eatery.
“We loved doing it,” said Billy Ganem, “It was fun.”
