Blarney Castle Secures Grant for Vogue Theatre Restoration
BEAR LAKE, MICHIGAN – Blarney Castle Oil & Propane has obtained a grant of $12,500 from BP Products of North America, Inc. to help restore the Vogue Theatre. The restoration of the Vogue Theatre was nominated for the grant by Blarney Castle under the BP Fueling Communities Program that provides grants through their local marketers to support organizations that focus on improving their communities.
“We were pleased to seek and deliver this grant on behalf of the Vogue’s restoration effort and the greater Manistee area,” said Dennis B. McCarthy, President of the 78-year old family owned company with headquarters in Bear Lake. “A restored Vogue can benefit area families and visitors alike and be a spark for business activity in downtown Manistee. We have over 50 employees at our Manistee County headquarters and that doesn’t include those who work in our EZ Mart Convenience Stores or the stores we supply with various products. A restored Vogue will mean a great deal to them and to thousands of others.”
“We want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Blarney Castle for making the extra effort to nominate the Vogue and secure a grant to aid the restoration effort,” said Steve Brower, chair of the Vogue Theatre Restoration Capital Campaign. “This is another great example of how private business is putting their shoulders behind this community driven effort.”
Brower said that the donation from Blarney Castle brings the total funds raised to approximately $600,000. The architect and construction team for the project estimate that $2.5 million will be required to restore and fully equip two theatres within the existing Vogue Theatre building.
Blarney Castle has over 90 EZ Mart convenience store locations, propane and fuel oil service, commercial fuel and bulk lubricant sales and nine offices in Michigan. The first station, Blarney Castle #2, named after the historic Blarney Castle in Ireland, was built in Bear Lake by founder Dennis E. McCarthy who continues to be active in the operations and direction of the business at age 93.
