“We sell a tractor trailer load of feed per week for farm and domestic animals – we sell more dog food than anyone in the county. We also sell just about everything you would need for a garden. Lore has it that back in the 1930s, we sold mules as well. We added CB radios when my father, Tim Blackmon, combined his Radio Shack business with the farm store after the first flood, in what my employees affectionately call Gurganus 2.0.

Who’d have known, when I bought the business in 2014, what Hurricanes Matthew and Florence would do. After the first flood, we thought about closing, but I knew the community needed a good feed and garden store, and it’s a shame we’re losing so many independent shops. My employees were dedicated to getting the store back up and running. After Florence, it took more convincing, but true to their spirit, they rallied again, and we continue to serve Columbus County and surrounding areas.

My sister, Lynne Inman, helps to manage the business, and Sue Miller runs the daily operations and has been with us since the beginning.

We’re big on knowing our customers and personal service. Our staff can help with advice you might need on a garden project or guidance on different animal feeds or products. We’ve also been known to deliver feed. It’s not uncommon for me to stop by the store and pick up pallets of feed to deliver on the way to my law office. 

And we enjoy providing events for the community. Once a quarter we host a Flock Swap in our parking lot, where people buy and sell chickens and other farm animals, and includes a truck that sells fish so you can stock your pond. People really enjoy the swap and the fellowship.

For the past few years, we’ve hosted our annual Spring Fling in April, which attracts hundreds. Local vendors sell crafts and homemade food products, the Columbus County Animal shelter holds a rabies vaccine clinic, and everyone has a good time. We’re a resilient community, and we’re proud to serve our friends and neighbors.”