In 2006, Newport's Feed Corral was declared one of
the top 500 tack stores in the United States. Manager Shawnna Smallwood helped
make that so, and since then, she has continued to work to make the store even
greater.
It is
a solid presence in the community for people who are interested in not only
buying tack and feed for their horses and exotics, but also supplies for their
not so exotic pets like dogs and some small animals. Tack and feed are the
stores' main focus - not just because the small tack stores are being crushed
by national chains, but also because that is what they have become famous for.
In one week, the store sent tack items as far as Poland, as well as satisfied
the needs of local customers.
One of the biggest changes made this year is that the shop switched
to carrying Purina brand foods because of their good reputation and dedication
to creating and maintaining good, nutritional feeds for horses. They have also
recently expanded into carrying fencing supplies and having more pet supplies.
Although they can do special orders, the Feed Corral probably already has in
stock what people need. It's one of the few stores you can go into that manages
to be packed to the rafters with products but still feels comfortable and easy
to move around in.
There
is a whole upstairs loft dedicated to western & english tack. Shawnna
proudly says their "tack section is pretty huge," not in a boastful manner, but
matter-of-factly between busy moments of answering phone calls and talking to
customers about their needs. The store was founded by Gerald and Barbara
Smallwood in early January of 1990. The store has been at its curren location
on the North Coast highway for at least 12 years.
Since there are no current plans
to expand the store, there is simply no more room, and the owners and employees
have chosen to instead focus on giving stellar customer service and making what
they do carry better. In order to stay competitive, they will be bringing in
new computer systems to help manage inventory and do more of the managing of
information for them. That way they can concentrate on the customers and give
them better service.
They
may not be able to match prices with some of the national chains, but they will
do their best to get as close as possible, and their staff will blow customers
away with their customer service skills, including helping customers with
saddle fitting, if need be. They want the customers to know that the Feed
Corral is worth their time and money. For anyone interested in seeing the store
themselves or who are hoping to find a corner feeder.
|
Images change when you roll the mouse over
thumbnails.
|