Meeting the Needs of Rural Communities

Chick season is in full swing at Olsen’s in Flagstaff, where 500 to 600 baby chicks arrive weekly from a hatchery in Cameron, Texas. Down the center aisle, custom-built, climate-controlled brooders protect Easter Eggers, Bantams and Rhode Island Reds, along with baby turkeys, ducks and geese.

“They have the best selection of chicks coming out of Texas, healthy, strong and good layers,” said Store Manager Christine Saltzman. “Raising chicks is more popular than ever.”

The Flagstaff store, opened in 1997, is part of a five-store family-owned chain that began in Chino Valley in 1979. Locations in Prescott, Dewey and Clarkdale followed. Today, the stores are coordinated through a corporate office in Chino Valley, but managers live in and tailor their inventory to the communities they serve.

The Founding Story

Olsen’s began as the vision of Mike and Sherrill Olsen and Mike’s father, John, who purchased the original Chino Valley Grain Company and Mill, which dated to the 1940s.

“The mission was to service the small community of Chino Valley and their entire animal feed needs,” said Operations Manager Ryan Baynes. The founding families remain actively involved in the company’s legacy.

Top Achievements and Core Values

Baynes points to three milestones: expanding to five locations and a warehouse, growing to 80 employees and maintaining a strong community focus.

Through a companywide process, employees helped define six core values: joy, integrity, positive influence, pride in work, respect of self and others, and teamwork.

Shifts Impacting the Business

Originally a traditional feed store, Olsen’s has evolved to emphasize holistic pet nutrition while maintaining agricultural roots in feed, veterinary and farrier supplies.

“Pet and livestock nutrition is an ever-changing landscape,” Baynes said. “It’s about adapting product offerings and training so the animals in our communities can thrive.”

Greatest Challenges

Like many brick-and-mortar retailers, Olsen’s competes in an expanding online marketplace.

“One challenge is threading the needle between offering competitive prices and taking care of the employees who have helped us run this business for 45 years,” Baynes said.

Looking Ahead

Baynes expects animals will increasingly be viewed as family members, fueling advances in nutrition and enrichment. Olsen’s plans to remain competitive by offering expertise and personal service.

The Reason for Long-Term Success

“Relationships,” Baynes said. “When that family approach is applied to a business, it becomes the relationships between coworkers, customers and communities that make up the tapestry of our success.”

In Flagstaff, that includes partnerships with humane societies, rescue groups and local events – and serving customers from surrounding reservations, ranches and neighborhoods alike. FBN

Olsen’s Grain Inc., 2250 N. Steves Blvd.

Flagstaff, AZ 86004, 928-522-0568

[email protected]

www.olsensgrain.com