With one foot still firmly planted in their Pflugerville feed store, the owners of Gaddy’s Feed are exploring new ways to update their business, which has been in operation since 1973.
The family-owned store, which started off as a blacksmith and evolved by adding hardware, trees and different kinds of feed to its stock, will soon transform itself once again.
Owners Mark and Kim Gaddy began 2017 by planting the first seeds for their new garden, located on the back of Gaddy’s Feed’s property.
Starting in May, Gaddy’s Feed will begin selling organic produce from the garden in the store, including squash, cucumbers, carrots, onions, green beans and herbs.
“We have tried to figure out a way to change as Pflugerville changes, just like when Pflugerville changed from a rural area to a bedroom community of Austin, we had to change what we sold,” Kim said.
The couple also plans to experiment with growing flowers and allowing customers to explore the garden to learn more about growing their own food.
“The best is being able to grow [food] yourself, and when you can’t you want to buy it as locally as possible,” Mark said.
Prior to planting the garden at Gaddy’s Feed, the Gaddys had a home garden with a number of the plants they are growing now at the store.
“Going from six to 200 tomato plants definitely makes a difference,” Mark said.
After the store begins to offer produce, Gaddy’s Feed will also sell it at the Pflugerville Farmer’s Market.
The Gaddys initially had the idea to start a garden when Mark’s father, Frank, retired to his cattle farm about a year and a half ago. The store carries his pasture-raised beef.
“I saw how much fun he was having and we talked about it, and we decided we wanted to have fun with this, too,” Kim said.
Feed store staples
Although Gaddy’s Feed is expanding into produce, the store will still continue selling what it has for the past 44 years. Here are some customer favorites:
- Baby chicks in the spring and fall
- Victor dog food, made in Texas
- Pasture-raised beef from store founder Frank Gaddy
- Purina food for a variety of animals
Gaddy’s Feed
403 FM 685, Pflugerville 512-251-4428 www.gaddys.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.
