Against All Odds, The Lobstah Guy Rolls On

When news broke in April that Trevor Dostie, owner of Maine Lobstah Shack, had been critically injured in an e-bike accident, the shock rippled far beyond his home base of Surf City.

Communities across the region – from loyal customers to church groups and fellow small business owners – were shaken by the possibility of losing the man whose lobster rolls and larger-than-life personality have become a fixture of the Cape Fear coast.

“First of all, what happened back in April, I don’t remember,” Dostie said. “I didn’t wake up in the hospital for five days. From all accounts, it was traumatic, but I don’t remember anything.”

The night of the accident, Dostie had been out with a friend before heading home across the Surf City bridge that connects the mainland to the island.

“It’s believed that my head hit a metal pole at the entrance to the bridge,” Dostie said. “The guy who fixed the bike said it looked as if someone had hit me from behind, but we don’t know.”

A passerby discovered Dostie around 1:30 a.m., more than an hour after the accident likely occurred. They discovered Dostie unconscious, with a traumatic head injury.

“I spoke to a first responder, a paramedic who was first on the scene,” Dostie said. “And he told me it was the worst accident he’d seen in 32 years on the job. He said he told his wife, ‘The lobster guy’s going to die tonight.’”

Doctors told Dostie’s family he had just hours to live.

“My whole family flew in,” Dostie said. “Most thought they might not make it in time, but at least they’d be here for the funeral.”

Against all odds, each hour turned into a new chance. After nearly five days in the ICU, he woke up. Dostie and his family consider it a miracle. So did his neurologist.

“My neurologist said he’s never had a patient with a midline brain stem shift as severe as mine that survived, let alone can walk and talk,” Dostie said. “I’ve had some minor mobility issues with my left hand, and I still need a lot of rest, but beyond that, I’ve made a full recovery.”

Dostie has been stunned by the outpouring of community support for his family and business since the time of the accident. Fundraisers have been organized, and friends have sold t-shirts, hats, wristbands and even lip balm with the slogan “Pray for Trevahhh the Lobstah Guy” in a design that emulates the company’s Maine license plate logo.

“This community’s outpouring of support was like nothing I could ever imagine in my whole life,” Dostie said. “Just unbelievable.”

Even as he continues to heal, Dostie is moving forward with plans for expanding the business. The Maine Lobstah Shack had its best summer yet, and he and his partners are preparing for an expansion that includes four new franchises and the purchase of a beloved lobster wharf and restaurant that his family visited every summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

“For me to have been going there since I was a kid, and now to be able to buy it,” he said, “it’s an incredible blessing.”

For Dostie, the accident has only sharpened his sense of purpose.

“I don’t care about the money,” he said. “This is a ministry for me; it’s the way that I serve and connect with people. God must think I have more work to do; this is why I’m still here. So now is the time to hustle.”

Most days, Dostie can be found at the Shack, doing what he does best – serving up Maine lobster with a huge helping of Southern hospitality. Against every odd, Dostie is back serving lobster, greeting guests and spreading the power and joy of connection.