VANESSA BAILEY 2023-05-17 07:18:22
Johnson Feed Company
A family-owned business since 1978, Johnson Feed serves southern Denton County and beyond.
Entering Johnson Feed Company in Old Town Lewisville feels like a wrinkle in time, a flashback to slower days in a bygone era when folks lingered at the counter, making small talk over coffee.
For owner Mike Johnson, the journey behind the counter has come full circle. Johnson was in high school when his parents, Gayle and Glenda Johnson, opened Johnson Feed Company in 1978. While Mike helped behind the counter, he had bigger dreams for college and a career. He earned a degree in animal science at Texas A&M University and led a successful career as a pharmaceutical account executive before returning to run the family feed store in 2015 at the request of his aging father.
Johnson’s background in animal science played a pivotal role at the feed store and he quickly became known to the local farmers as a trusted source of advice.
“An animal can only absorb so much [food],” Johnson said. “We really focus on helping customers find nutrition solutions for their pets and livestock that won’t just end up on the ground.”
With his corporate expertise in sales, Johnson developed a business plan to expand their operation, reaching his goal in just three years with a move to a new facility in the heart of Old Town Lewisville. The store sells gardening supplies, plants, home décor, toys, jellies and salsas, and more.
The larger storefront on South Charles Street is all part of a bigger plan. Johnson aims to make the feed store a community hub for continuing agricultural education and support for student-run initiatives like Future Farmers of America groups. Johnson’s wife, Tommie Johnson, retired from her career as an educator to help create new programs and product lines for the family business. Tommie’s knack for finding hand-crafted oddities like tooth-fairy pillows and boutique dog accessories created a fan following of customers young and old.
Although modern life can be fast paced, the Johnsons hope to create a space where customers feel welcome, and no one leaves feeling hurried. Johnson plans to host events that help families grow together, such as gardening classes and lawn care events.
“This is not just a job to me; this is my life,” Johnson said. “I do not want to be a big-box store. I want customers to come through the door and feel like family.”
Johnson Feed Company
224 S. Charles St. in Lewisville 972-221-7646 Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, closed Sunday Facebook.com/johnsonfeedstore/
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