Main Sections

Spring Has Sprung At Middlebury Agway

photo by Dale Piper

photo by Dale Piper

Tuesday May 9, 2006

By Dale Piper

Middlebury's Agway is a source of farm needs, yard décor, clothing and pet food and supplies. Originally a farm supply chain, Agway evolved into a more diversified retail operation over a number of years, stocking pet goods and lawn and garden needs, culminating in a network of locally owned retail establishments that are free to respond to the needs of their own communities.

The owner of the Middlebury Farm and Garden store, Scott Jacobs, purchased the store from Agway in 2000, after spending seven years with the company in their management training program and in management positions.  Originally from southern Pennsylvania, Jacobs graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in business and agriculture.  He entered Agway's management program right after graduation and his first trainee assignment was at the Middlebury facility.  Soon after, he was sent to manage a store in Rhode Island but it wasn't long before he realized he had fallen in love with this area and wanted to come back here.  He returned as assistant manager and shortly rose again to manager.

Among Agway's network of retail stores, almost three quarters were already independently owned and Middlebury soon joined the ranks with Jacobs' purchase of the facility.  The rest is local history.   He soon expanded the retail space by 40% and began to respond to the needs of the community and his own vision of what the store should become.  He greatly expanded the pet food and supplies, stocked more home-related items such as barbecue grills and patio furniture and expanded the store's line of Carhartt clothing.  He also transformed the store into a year-round source of supplies and accessories for the home and the yard.  As Jacobs says, “Winter is no longer an off-season, just a different season.”  To that end, he stocks Christmas trees, toys, ornaments and even more of Carhartt's heavy winter clothing.

But for now, it's worth noting that Middlebury Farm & Garden stocks probably the largest and most varied selection of seeds in the area - flowers, vegetables, heirloom varieties and decorative gourds.  Burpee and the Agway brand are the backbone of the line, but also look for certified organic seeds and specialty items from The Cook's Garden, Renee's Garden and others.  Jacobs points out that he keeps his prices competitive with even the box stores on most items, adding that, “Even if we are a couple of dollars higher on, say, a bag of mulch, it's better than two hours of your time and the price of gas!”   Besides, it's easier to be able to park your vehicle right out front and have your purchases loaded for you.

Jacobs credits much of the store's success to the employees, many of whom have been there longer than he has.  “Customers can tell if you treat your employees right, because they will then treat the customers right,” he says.  He adds that he never has to advertise for help, partly because he has very little turnover, but also because people want to work there.  Most of his employees have their own areas of expertise, be it gardening, landscaping or raising animals, and are more than willing to provide advice.

Despite the Agway name on the building, suggesting a large corporation, Middlebury Farm & Garden is really a community enterprise, locally owned and responsive to local needs and tastes. According to Jacobs, “Nothing we sell could be considered necessary for living, but we help people make their surroundings nicer.” 

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives