Madison, Maine Hannaford Mascot, Rascal The Cat, Hit by Car And Killed

Here in Maine, we're used to having our fair share of unique mascots for our local businesses. From Monty the Moose to the giant red lobster that sits atop the Taste of Maine restaurant along Route 1.

However, there are apparently mascots that most of didn't even know about. For example, the Hannaford store in Madison, Maine has evidently had a real-live cat as a mascot. Though sadly, according to an article published in the Kennebec Journal, that cat has passed away after being struck by a car.

Norridgewock resident, Tonyia Cartos, told the Kennebec Journal in part,

“I’m gonna miss her. I’m used to seeing her there every day, but I went today and I was like, ‘Oh my God, no Rascal! I go to that store almost every day, and she made it better. Every time you walked in, you knew somebody was going to be happy to see you.”

The Kennebec Journal went on to report that the relationship with Rascal started with a little bit of controversy. Last year, people on social media were claiming that Hannaford had banned Rascal from the store. However, the Kennebec Journal said that Hannaford put those claims to rest saying the cat wasn't banned, they just wanted customers to give treats to the cat outside of the store instead of the inside cart corral, a place where Rascal would often hang out.

The daughter of Rascal's owner, Leah Christen, said in part on a social media post,

“From day one Rascal was very determined she was to go outside. No matter her size. “It was a risk Rascal took on a daily for the last decade. Though it was a stressful and known fear that the accident may or may not happen it was better for Rascal to live a life she loved.”