Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

October 1, 2018 / 2018 Next List Honorees

Next 2018: Tobias Parkhurst is a catalyst for downtown Augusta's resurgence

PHOTo / Tim Greenway Tobias Parkhurst, president of O&P Glass in Augusta, is leading several efforts at the forefront of downtown Augusta's resurgence.

Tobias Parkhurst, president of O&P Glass in Augusta and a former pro skateboarder, is one of the catalysts of downtown Augusta development — buying and renovating three buildings, opening a brew pub with three partners and heading the nonprofit that's restoring the historic Colonial Theater.

Mainebiz: What spurred your focus on downtown Augusta?

Tobias Parkhurst: I moved back to Maine in 2008 because my dad wanted to retire and I didn't have much of a plan after skateboarding. I knew it was a permanent move. My mom always told [us] that if you make a living in a community, you have a responsibility to participate in it. Most of my activities outside my day job are driven by personal desire. I wanted a skatepark, so I worked on that; I wanted a nice apartment and couldn't find one, and real estate downtown was cheap enough that I could make that happen. I thought Augusta needed a brewery — when I couldn't get anyone to open one, I pulled some people together and we did it ourselves. The volunteer [roles are] things that are important to me and a result of the way I was raised.

MB: Are there lessons as a pro skateboarder that helped you in business?

TP: Yes, 100%. I've been skateboarding for almost 30 years and I look at the world through a skateboarder's eyes. We were in the streets every day [interacting] with lots of different types of people. Dealing with different types of people from different walks of life, in wildly varying situations, has taught me a lot about communicating. Other than that, falling down is humbling, and a lot of people are scared of it … knowing success comes with hard work and lots of falls is a valuable thing.

MB: You have a lot going on — is there an over-arching theme?

TP: I just want to live in an awesome place and if I see an opportunity to make something happen, why wouldn't I? I moved away from Maine because I couldn't live my dreams here — how cool will it be if my kids don't feel like that? Opening a brewery or renovating an old building isn't going to solve the world's problems, but things happen because people make them happen. Augusta is an awesome community to work and live in. Things are possible here that aren't in other places in Maine. I'm really happy to have the opportunity to be part of [the city's revitalization].

MB: Where do you see your 10-years-older self?

TP: O&P Glass is a great company, and my sister [Soo Parkhurst, vice president] and I are lucky to have the opportunity to own it. Cushnoc Brewing Co. is in its first year, and I'm excited to see what my partners and I are going to be able to do. I'd love to grab another building or two downtown, there's so much opportunity there.

Read more

Next 2018: The Davis siblings define entrepreneurship with eclectic mix of businesses

Next 2018: Maddie Purcell creates social experiences through cooking at Fyood Kitchen

Next 2018: Dan and Ashley Rice offer 24/7 vascular access services at a fraction of typical cost

Next 2018: Pete Roberts creates new jobs while restoring the 'Made in Maine' label in Farmington

Next 2018: Alain Nahimana, a tireless advocate for state's newest residents

Next 2018: Christina Kane-Gibson brings new energy to expanding Caribou's economy

Next 2018: Brian Harris and Owen McCarthy move music therapy into the digital age

2018 Next List: Meet the entrepreneur next door

Next 2018: Eleven dynamic individuals who are changing Maine's economy

Next 2018: The Davis siblings define entrepreneurship with eclectic mix of businesses

Next 2018: Maddie Purcell creates social experiences through cooking at Fyood Kitchen

Next 2018: Dan and Ashley Rice offer 24/7 vascular access services at a fraction of typical cost

Next 2018: Pete Roberts creates new jobs while restoring the 'Made in Maine' label in Farmington

Next 2018: Alain Nahimana, a tireless advocate for state's newest residents

Next 2018: Christina Kane-Gibson brings new energy to expanding Caribou's economy

Next 2018: Brian Harris and Owen McCarthy move music therapy into the digital age

2018 Next List: Meet the entrepreneur next door

Next 2018: Eleven dynamic individuals who are changing Maine's economy

Sign up for Enews

Comments

Order a PDF