The trend of keeping a backyard flock of chickens for a steady source of fresh eggs has been a growth industry for the local Olsen's Grain store.
Managers Warren and Kristi Hubbard of the Flagstaff store said they've sold more than 7,000 baby chickens since last year, up several thousand from historic levels.
But it is their indirect role in the sale of pork and beef that illustrates the family-owned company's commitment to helping their customers with special orders and how it could afford to open a new location off of Highway 89 during a tough economy.
The company doesn't sell cattle or pigs, but Warren said he is quick to introduce his customers to local ranches -- also customers of his -- that can sell the livestock.
"We put people together," Warren said. "We definitely are seeing people buy pork and beef and raising them in their backyard."
The recession has also meant that his customers are buying smaller items -- bridles rather than saddles. But core staples like animal feed are still steady, Warren said.
Pet food sales, however, were not hit as hard by the lousy economy.
"The recession definitely affected the dog food (sales), but the one thing we've learned is that truly that people in Flagstaff are very fond of their animals -- they are members of the family ... I think they would go without rather than let their animals go without."
The two have seen the pet food side of the company evolve since the store opened in 1997.
"Pet food, especially dog food, has changed immensely: More natural, more holistic. All of the trends that happen to humans tend to cross-merchandise into the pet food," Warren said. "Grain-frees, Atkins diet, vegetarian to all-natural -- that is what is neat about working here. It is constantly evolving."
The newest location for Olsen's Grain is relatively small when compared to the 12,000 square feet the company has in Flagstaff. The married couple is turning to their prospective customers for advice.
"We are asking the community there what they would like us to carry so we have some different products that we will be carrying out there," Kristi said. "We can't carry everything we carry in this store just because of space."
But they are not averse to special orders.
"If there is something the customer wants and we can save them the trip coming into town, we will take it out there," Kristi said. "A portion of our customer base is in Doney Park, so to do deliveries out to the new store would take a little pressure off of (the Flagstaff) store."
The pair spent $45,000 to open the new location.
"The biggest expense, which we haven't purchased yet, is going to be a delivery truck because our deliveries have increased," Kristi said.
Customers come from as far away as Ash Fork and distant parts of the Navajo Nation to buy feed and other supplies, she said.
The Timberline location has a planned grand opening on Oct. 1 and will be offering a free rabies clinic.
Via: az daily sun
