Thrifty Feed and Garden, Vancouver
Nestled on St. Johns Road is Thrifty Feed and Garden, reminiscent of rural feed stores but very much in the 21st Century, offering traditional and modern supplies for gardeners, bird watchers, and pet owners. This family-owned business is a place where your questions are answered from what type of tomato to grow or what to feed the squirrels to how to garden in containers.
Thrifty Feed, officially opened in 1950, was built from lumber reclaimed from Vancouver’s shipyards after World War II. Under its original name Thrifty Feed and Fuel, farm related items and fuel including coal were sold. Through the years, the store has evolved to fill current needs of customers. With the change from Fuel to Garden, many farm items are still sold, but also typical garden and pet items, organic and container garden supplies, wood pellets, fire logs, mosquito and insect control products, hose end fittings, sprinklers and drip irrigation parts, bark dust, and animal food including chicken feed, dog and cat food, and bulk bird seed.
Some items you might not expect to find include borax which is used by fisherman to cure fish eggs, electric fencing, rat poison, the Rat Zapper, wind chimes, and yard decorations. Vegetable and flower seeds and a select assortment of plant starts are also offered each spring, including many unusual tomato varieties. For those wanting to plant potatoes, a variety of seed potatoes are available. Onion sets, berry plants, and bulk pea, bean, and corn seed are also spring garden favorites. Spring also brings an offering of several types of baby chicks and ducks for sale which can be heard and seen busily chirping away in the store, to the delight of customers.
Thrifty Feed and Garden was purchased by Brian Treasure’s family in 1997 and remains a family-owned business. It is operated by Brian, who also serves on the Board of the Clark County Farm Bureau, and his wife Vickie Treasure. In true family business tradition, their children, Eric, Ryan, and Kim are full time employees. One non-family member, Rick Balsiger, has worked at the store for 29 years. Eric prepares the monthly newsletter which is available at the store, by mail, or by email from the store’s web site, which includes a garden calendar.
Contact Information for Thrifty Feed and Garden
Thrifty Feed and Garden
4207 N.E. St Johns RoadVancouver, WA 98661
(360) 695-7351
http://www.ThriftyFeedAndGarden.com