RR Branstrom | Daily Press In the process of filling orders and moving inventory, Logan Cox wheels a hand truck piled high at Mel’s Lawn, Garden and Feed Center.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Press will feature a series of articles on local businesses, highlighting their history and what makes them unique. The series will be on a regular basis in the Daily Press.
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ESCANABA – Now a “a one stop shop” for area farmers, Mel’s Lawn, Garden and Feed Center was founded by a couple who themselves were poultry farmers in Schaffer before opening a feed store in town.
Mel and Anne (“Lillan”) Taylor had a large chicken in Schaffer more than 60 years ago. “They were the main suppliers of eggs in the area,” said Carolyn Taylor, his daughter-in-law and CFO at Mel’s. In 1976, a fire destroyed the coop, and the Taylors changed gears.
In 1977, Mel and Lillan opened a grocery store in Escanaba. That original location, said Glen Taylor — his son and current store owner — was located on Stephenson Ave. in a building now belonging to Mr. Tire. The business was officially incorporated in November 1980.
A few years before Mel’s moved to its current location, the operation that had been there—Escanaba Feed Store—went out of business.
Glen said Mel bought the building in ’80 or ’82.
“We fixed it up, built in a tent – it wasn’t a tent at all; it was just a warehouse, a warehouse.” said Glen.
They moved into the facility in 1986. Glen bought the business from his parents in 1992.
Mel’s Lawn, Garden and Feed Center has always had a focus on feeding all types of animals – from barnyard animals to pets to wildlife. Customers know they can come and find any niche, specialty dog food they might be looking for — and both Carolyn and Glen said it’s actually an industry that has changed dramatically.
“The first premium dog food was Iams Chunks and Minichunks,” Glen recalled. “Green bag, 50 pounds. I was a kid, but I remember … a 50-pound bag of Iams Minichunks retailed for $19.99.” He said that when it came out, Mel doubted that anyone would pay that; Now, bags half that size regularly cost more than twice that.
“Higher and better quality pet foods have been huge; it’s been a nice niche,” Carolyn said. “More and more people love their pets, we’ve become a great place to go for quality dog food. … It’s amazing how people take care of their pets.”
This sentiment extends to all the other supplies that go with owning dogs, cats, horses and more.
Carolyn said Mel’s gets its seed corn from Wisconsin and gets its oats and other grains from several places, including the Garden Peninsula and a larger mill in Bark River. From shipments filling the grain tower bins on the west side of Mel’s, staff drop off, bag, and fill orders.
Between outside and in-store employees, Mel’s has a staff of about ten, plus the Taylors. Glen and Carolyn’s son, Sam, is a manager, and the plan is that he will eventually take over the management of the place – its third generation.
Another manager, Zach Truitt, has worked there for more than 15 years, Carolyn said, and has been an instrumental part of Mel’s.
“We have a great group of staff now,” Carolyn said. “It’s wonderful. It’s hard to get good employees, and when you get them, you’re just very excited.” she laughed.
There is also Rosie, Sam’s dog. With a golden red coat, dark eyes, and a friendly but calm demeanor, he is a popular doll.
Spring is the busiest at Mel’s with the arrival of lawn and garden season.
“Your farmers plant, your hobby gardeners plant, they all plant. You tidy up your yards, so you have yard cleaning,” Carolyn said. “Spring is by far the busiest followed by fall with hunting season. It’s kind of fun.”
Growth has been gradual, Glen said, as Mel has expanded from just food and lawn and garden supplies to other related materials to help the farmer. They also have a propane filling station.
An addition that has become a big part of the business is footwear. They have a wide selection of work boots – insulated, steel-toed, rubber, etc. – for all seasons and jobs, for men and women.
Mel’s Lawn, Garden and Feed Center is open from 7 am to 6:30 pm on weekends and from 7 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
