Business name: Thrifty Feed & Garden.
Owners: Brian and Vickie Treasure.
Address: 4207 St. Johns Road.
Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
What the business does: Thrifty Feed & Garden is a combination old-time feed store and modern garden center. It has feed for horses, chickens, rabbits, cattle, goats and small animals such as chinchillas, guinea pigs and caged birds. Day-old chicks are available from mid-March to mid-June, along with all chicken supplies. Wild bird and squirrel feed and feeders plus local grass hay and straw by the bale are for sale. The store also carries many garden supplies, bark dust, propane for barbecue or motor homes and wood stove pellets, fire logs and fire bricks.
How has the economy affected your business: Brian Treasure said the most visible sign has been the increase in price for many of the feed commodities. This has translated into fewer people being able to feed wild birds, but the number of people growing their own gardens has increased. However the wet, cold weather the past two springs has discouraged many gardeners.
Greatest challenge: Treasure said dealing with government regulations is a challenge. From the county to the federal level, he said the government continues to raise taxes and fees and to impose rules on what can and cannot be done.
