Tom's McLean Service The Great Remodeling; Part I January, 1991     In September of 1990, an article about Tom's McLean Service appeared in the McLean Providence Journal. It said that at age 71, Tom Corner was ready to retire, and that a plan had been proposed by Scott Murnan, owner of Animal General Hospital, whereby he would buy the entire corner lot for redevelopment. The lawn mower shop might remain open, perhaps in the basement of the new building being proposed. It sounded like an earlier stillborn plan to build a Jiffy Lube on the site, in the mid-1980s. Tom had actually sold the property then, and planned to retire. However, that buyer defaulted after the 1987 stock market crash, forcing Tom to postpone his retirement. Time and again this little piece of McLean had dodged the wrecking ball, but it seemed at last that time might finally have run out for Tom's.     I was therefore surprised when I received a call from Scott a few months later. He had indeed bought the property, but instead of bulldozing the place, he intended to keep Tom's McLean Service alive. He asked if would like to come back to work there, and help remodel the place, and then assist his wife Sandy in running the front counter. How could I turn down a chance to be a part of this chapter in Tom's history?     The makeover of Tom's was nothing short of astonishing, and probably came as a surprise to everyone in McLean. The old eyesore was about to be transformed, not into an office building, but into a better version of its former self. It would entail finishing the back roof and north wall of the main building (missing for over a decade), a new front facade and interior remodeling of the main building along with a paint job. Then, a total clean-out of the yard and a brand new fence, and repainting of the white house where the mechanics worked.     Work commenced in January, 1991. The general contractor was named Buddy, a friend of Scott's, who began the process at the front of the main building and worked his way back. (January, 1991) The front entrance gets finished, permanently replacing the old garage door. Buddy testing out his newly installed front door, the first change of many to come. Next was a set of matching windows, and new paneling/insulation underneath. The old door to "the hole" is open at left Bruce Taylor observes through the fence. This was a replacement fence installed by Rodney and some of the crew circa 1989. New lumber in the yard, getting ready for rebuilding of the back roof Work begins on the front facade. That may be Mike Volz (red cap) behind my silver Chevy truck New siding adorns the main entrance and windows. New framing begins to go up. The new roof section is completed and covered The old brick is painted over Siding and trim covers front facade, entrance to "the hole" has been framed and paneled. Bruce examines the windows. East wall and rear roof, preparation for construction Looking into the hole, you can just barely see a green Lawn-Boy mower emerge at the front of the line Buddy begins finishing he north wall, decades in the making! The north wall is nearly complete. Neighbors were undoubtedly relieved. The phone pole roof supports were a bizarre trademark of Tom's for several years, and will soon be (mostly) gone. Back porch of the white house, as viewed from the office building behind it on Beverly Road. This is where we stored new lawnmower inventory White house, as viewed from across Beverly Road The beautiful old Holly tree, as viewed from the corner of Beverly and Elm White house, front entrance looking east towards Beverly Road Area around the house had to be de-cluttered so the old paint could be stripped White house, front entrance looking west toward main building. In foreground is old cellar stairway, long abandoned and boarded over. At left, Bruce Taylor is photo-bombing. RETURN TO THE TOM'S McLEAN SERVICE PAGE 7/18/2021 (revised 05/31/26) © 2021, 2026 All Rights Reserved