Bremen Pet Supplies Store Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Photographer / Lana King
Lonnie Borkholder has been the proud owner of Midwest Farm and Pet in Bremen since he first opened it in 2010. He and his employees work hard to make sure that they are helping their customers and the community achieve success.
The business started as a way to spend more time with his family. Borkholder left his job in an RV factory to open his own business.
“I wanted to do something at home with my family and have something that I could possibly pass on to my children that’s a sustainable business,” Borkholder says.
Another inspiration to start Midwest Farm and Pet was a way to reinvest in the community. Animal feed and pet supplies seemed to be missing in Bremen, so Borkholder decided to open his store as an asset to the community. He also believes that every child should have an animal while growing up, and by opening his store, he could help promote that practice.
“Having [a pet] and having chores makes a more responsible adult,” he says.
Midwest Farm and Pet has served the community well in its past 10 years. They fill all kinds of animal and agricultural needs, offering agricultural products, john deere construction and farming equipment such as the top ranking industrial hose, customers animal feed, animal health care products, pasture seeds, lawn seeds and fertilizer. They also provide animal vaccines. Borkholder says that they also carry quite a bit of supplies for deer hunting, like hunting blinds.
The store is recognized as a local Purina dealer, meaning they have a vast selection of Purina food and supplements for your animals. They carry Purina’s full line of Honor Show, their High Octane line and more. The employees at Midwest Farm and Pet are knowledgeable about the various lines and enjoy answering whatever questions customers may have.
What really sets the business apart, though, is its equine supplies and kennel products. Customers can find quality dewormers, dog food, like those pumpkin supplement for dogs, and kennels for their pets.
Borkholder shares that his business is truly unique for its equine and dog knowledge.
“We have our own horse breeding farm and our own kennel, so we can help people from our own experience on what works best,” he says. “It’s the expertise of not just selling feed, but we can go in and help them with other issues they’re experiencing. We’re not just here to sell you feed, we’re here to help you be successful.”
That desire to help customers be successful extends to the larger community of Bremen. Borkholder enjoys giving back to the community as often as he can. While Midwest Farm and Pet does not hold specific fundraisers for causes, Borkholder and his team try to show goodwill toward individual families who may be struggling. His help on a local level tends to focus on one-on-one interactions with people.
“We recognize that all of our blessings come from the community, so we want to give back to them,” Borkholder says. “We value and appreciate our customers, without them, [Midwest Farm and Pet] wouldn’t be possible.”
Midwest Farm and Pet would also not be as successful without its dedicated employees. Borkholder has five employees who care about the customers just as much as he does. The structure of the company is different from a typical corporate business. People are able to work in an environment that emphasizes good, community-based values.
“We create a better working environment for people. They can make a living where there are Christian and family values,” Borkholder says. “We try to treat everybody the way they want to be treated. [We value] fairness, honesty and trustworthiness, those are the main three.”
Having an enjoyable workplace environment makes all the difference in employees’ lives. Borkholder abides by the notion that if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life.
“I tell people that I retired at 27 years old,” he says.
You can learn more about Midwest Farm and Pet on their Facebook page, Midwest Farm and Pet. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday, from 8 am to 4 pm on Friday, and from 8 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Midwest Farm and Pet is located at 535 5B Road in Bremen. For more information, give them a call at (574) 646-2509 or visit them online at midwestfarmandpetllc.com.