Back in 1928, Jim Ogletree’s grandfather opened a feed and seed store in Union that lasted into the 1970s’s. Fifty years later, the Ogletree family has once again opened a feed and seed store on Highway 15 in Union at the location that was one Long’s Building Supply. However, the Ogletree’s have plans in adding even more offerings at Ogletree’s Feed and Seed in the hopes of providing the community a place to get much more than feeds.
When Ogletree saw that the property, found at 23484 MS-15 in Union, was available, he saw lots of potential for it to be something special that the community needed. And with his schedule full of running the grocery store, Ogletree knew just who he could turn to in running their new business: his sons Colin and Eric, and family friend Caleb Brantley.
“I guess you could say it was all in God’s timing that Caleb was available to come run the feed store for us,” Ogletree said. “he’s got great experience in running a feed store like this and he was able to come right in and get started. So, with him coming available, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. And Colin is helping run things day-to-day. He’ll learn a lot from Caleb. And Eric is here helping out, mostly in the background with computer work.”
While running the store part-time, Brantley is also a full-time evangelist who has his own channel on YouTube and can be found on many other apps. He also travels throughout to share the word of God.
Currently, Ogletree’s Feed and Seed offers a variety a wide range of feeds, ranging from dog feed to horse feed, seeds, fertilizer, and farming supplies, such as fencing, fence posts, bales of hay, and feed troughs. And according to the Ogletree’s, if they don’t’ have it, they’ll get it. The store is also a wholesale store, selling feed stock to other businesses.
However, the Ogletree’s have more in store for their new endeavor, other than sell feed and seed. Coming soon, likely by December, Ogletree said that they will partner with Jimmy Milling to offer lumber. And by January, they hope to have items similar to what customers expected to find at the former tenant of the property.
“We want to offer the items that would keep area customers here in town, like paint and supplies, plumbing supplies, and electrical supplies,” said Ogletree. “And in the Spring, we’ll have plants, potting soil, and lawn/garden items. We aim to keep people at home and shop local.”
Ogletree added with the size of the property, there’s possibility to adding other services or businesses, but that would be later after they’ve established their store.
Another plus with this new business in Union will be the addition of more jobs for the community. According to Ogletree, once they get their full business established, they would utilize 15-20 employees.
After opening its doors to customers nearly a month ago, Ogletree said the response has been tremendous, adding that they’re still in the process of getting what customers are asking for.
“We carry any kind of animal feed they need, and if we don’t carry it, we’ll get it for them!”
Ogletree’s Feed and Seed is open Monday-Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Saturday’s, they’re open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
