Valentine Feed set for opening

The upcoming opening of a feed and supply store in Portland will allow residents to stay in the county for agricultural products, instead of traveling elsewhere.
Valentine Feed and Supply, located on the east side of U.S. 27 north of Portland, will sell a long list of items, including livestock and pet feed and supplies, 4-H show supplies, fencing, gates, pool chemicals and seasonal items.
With a lifelong background in agriculture, Mark Valentine and his wife Marianne are opening the store to keep Jay County residents buying local.
“It’s all about community support,” said Mark Valentine. “It all goes back to shop Jay County first, all buckle down and shop in our town for everything we can get here.”
Valentine saw that companies such as Tractor Supply and Rural King have locations in a circle right outside the perimeters of Jay County, and he wanted to put something right in the middle of that, offering competitive prices to the big name retailers.
But it’s not just items that the business will provide.
Each employee has a background and history in different facets of agribusiness. That will translate into possible seminars on Saturday mornings over different topics such as how to feed wild birds to raising livestock, as well as customer service and advice for each customer who walks through the door looking to begin a new project.
“We see a huge need in Jay County. Ninety to 95 percent of the response we’re getting is positive,” said Valentine. “There hasn’t been a store even similar to this in town since … 20 plus years ago.”
While a large part of the business’ customer base will be livestock owners, focus will also be given to a younger group — 4-Hers.
“We’re going to be our own best customers,” said store manager Vicki Miller.
Both Miller and Valentine have children in 4-H and know the difficulty of traveling to buy show supplies or ordering them online only to pay high shipping costs.
“The kids’ show supplies, that’s an enormous business nationwide. There’s really no place close that you can buy stuff,” said Valentine. “We’re going to be right here. … Everything that a 4-H kid would want or need, we will have in stock or can get within 48 hours.”
In addition to the available products at the store, Valentine will place a booth at the Jay County Fair, just weeks before his business’ grand opening, for 4-Hers who may need to buy supplies during the week.
Valentine stewed on the idea of opening his own feed and supply store for years before he drove by his current building in April to see a “For Rent” sign in the window.
It was perfect timing, said Valentine, as he was looking to be self-employed again.
“Everything has fallen into place,” said Miller.
The store’s grand opening is set for July 26.[[In-content Ad]]