PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RIBBON CUTTING … Thomas Construction and Remodeling celebrated the opening of its new downtown Swanton headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by employees, family, friends, Swanton Area Chamber members, Swanton Mayor Neil Toeppe, and representatives of the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Thomas Construction and Remodeling celebrated a new chapter in its 44-year history on Friday, June 12, with a ribbon cutting at the company’s new headquarters at 123 North Main Street in downtown Swanton.
During the event, family, friends, employees, community members and supporters gathered to tour the renovated building, meet the TCR team and learn more about the company’s work.
For owner Seth Thomas, the new headquarters marks the first dedicated office building for a company that had previously operated from its home office. It is also the latest step in a family business started by his father, Steve Thomas, in 1982.
Seth said he grew up around the business, spending time on job sites as a child before eventually running jobs by the time he was 16 years old. After his father passed away in 1999, Seth took over the business, which has since doubled in size.
The company now handles residential, commercial, government and light industrial work, with projects ranging from small repairs to full remodels, additions, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, roofing, siding, flooring and structural repairs.
Seth said TCR’s goal is to help customers understand their options before beginning a project, whether they are planning a large remodel or smaller repair.
“We’re here to help people,” Seth said. “I like to hear what people have to say and then give people ideas they can expand on.”
The new headquarters also gave TCR a chance to show its own work, as the company remodeled the former bank building itself.
The project included opening up the space and adding new flooring, trim, paint, countertops and other updates throughout the building. Seth said the move has taken some getting used to after spending so many years working from home and job sites.
The ribbon cutting also highlighted the future of the family business, with Seth’s son, Tony, continuing to grow into the work.
Tony said he has been around job sites since he was only a few months old and enjoys running jobs, networking and meeting people through the business. Seth Thomas said he would like to see his son take over the business someday but added that he wants him to choose that path for himself.
As the company settles into its new downtown home, Seth said the project is about more than opening an office.
Having lived in Swanton for much of his life and remained active in the community through organizations like the Swanton Area Chamber and the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation, he said establishing TCR’s first permanent headquarters in the village is a special milestone.
Seth explained that he is excited for what the future holds for the business, his family and the community that has supported it for more than four decades.
“It’s about the people and the family and the friends,” Seth said. “It’s definitely a whole new world that we’re going to venture on and hopefully good things to come.”