Midcoast restaurants rally to support injured EMT and server after Robbins Lumber explosion

CAMDEN, Maine (WABI) - In the wake of tragedy, Midcoast restaurants are banding together to support one of their own.

On May 15, an explosion at Robbins Lumber is Searsmont resulted in the deaths of two people with 11 injured.

Among those on the long road it recovery is Lily Robbins, a volunteer EMT, UMaine graduate, and seasonal server at Camden’s Mosaic Restaurant.

“It was a real shock and a real tragedy,” Mosaic owner Troy Scott recalls of them learning the news. “She had actually worked for us the day before the fire, and we had congratulated her on her graduation.”

Robbins is in serious condition and is being treated at Mass General.

To help with hospital costs, Mosaic owners Troy and Hannah Scott have set up a GoFundMe, but said they wanted to do more to support.

This week, Mosaic is offering a special drink that benefits the fund.

“Lily was also involved in the French club at University of Maine, and she got to go to France for a while. When she came back, she had some cocktails that she liked. So, we know that she would love the Lily’s French Gimlet,” Scott says of the special.

After setting up the GoFundMe, 16 other Camden area restaurants have joined Mosaic, offering benefit specials of their own.

“We just kind of briefly explained the situation and everybody asked me how they could help. So it was pretty simple. I mean, she’s one of us,” describes Eric Buxton, owner of participating restaurant North Beacon Oyster in Rockland. “Restaurant can be rough and tumble business. But in general, it’s a giving business. It’s a very generous group of people.”

For the Scotts, the quick and large response represents the tight-knit community within the local hospitality industry: “We just love her, and we want to support her, but we know it’s going to be a long road.”

“Hospitality is about relationships between the hosts and the guests. And I don’t think there’s a higher form of hospitality than a volunteer firefighter who kind of shows up on your worst day and is there to help,” Buxton adds. “So it’s our turn to show up for Lily now.”

Mosaic will also be hosting a silent auction to support Robbins from August 8 through the 16.

Below are some of the restaurants running benefit specials this week:

• Mosaic Restaurant
• North Beacon Oyster
• North Beacon on the Green
• Fresh & Co
• Winona’s
• 16 Bay View
• 13 Oak
• Freya’s
• Rock Harbor Brewing Co.
• Luce Spirits
• Ada’s Kitchen
• Lemon Bar
• Park Street Grill
• Trackside Station
• Park Street Grill
• Suzuki’s Sushi Bar