CANDLER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — In a time when big-box retailers and online shopping dominate much of the retail landscape, a local business continues to demonstrate the value of personal service, knowledge and community connections.

For more than two decades under its current ownership, Candler Feed and Seed has grown from a traditional hardware store into a destination for livestock owners, pet lovers, gardeners and homesteaders throughout the Asheville area.

But what sets the Candler business apart isn’t simply its selection of products. It’s a commitment to treating customers like neighbors and giving back to the community that has supported it.

From hardware store to homesteading destination

When the business changed hands in 2003, Candler Feed and Seed began transitioning from a hardware store that also sold feed into a specialty retailer focused on agricultural supplies, animal nutrition and gardening essentials.

Today, the store serves a diverse customer base, from families raising backyard chickens to farmers caring for livestock and homeowners preparing their gardens for another growing season.

According to the business, it is the last remaining feed store among three that once served the area. That longevity reflects the continuing importance of locally owned agricultural businesses in Western North Carolina.

Products for pets, livestock and mountain living

Candler Feed and Seed carries a variety of products designed to meet the needs of the region’s agricultural and outdoor communities.

Its selection includes Kalmbach livestock and poultry feeds, Victor Super Premium pet foods, Wholesomes pet food, wild bird seed and specialty feeds for animals ranging from horses and goats to rabbits and alpacas.

Gardeners can also find seeds, vegetable plants, soils, fertilizers and other seasonal lawn and garden supplies.

For customers navigating animal nutrition or agricultural projects, the business emphasizes knowledgeable assistance from employees with firsthand farming and livestock experience.

The team also provides a personal touch that can be harder to find at larger retailers, including helping customers carry purchases to their vehicles.

A business that gives back when neighbors need it most

While agricultural supplies remain central to the store’s identity, community involvement is another important part of its story.

Following Hurricane Helene, Candler Feed and Seed participated in relief efforts supporting Western North Carolina residents affected by the storm.

The business also highlights initiatives benefiting local families and children, including an annual Angel Tree program for children in foster care, a back-to-school supply drive and a weekend food bag initiative for elementary school students displaced by the hurricane.

The business also facilitates low-cost pet vaccination clinics, offers a wildlife trap loaner program, and assists with pet rehoming connections.

These efforts demonstrate how a neighborhood business can become a resource extending well beyond its traditional retail offerings.

Personal service in a changing retail landscape

As Western North Carolina continues to grow, Candler Feed and Seed remains focused on the qualities that have helped establish its reputation: product knowledge, customer relationships and personal attention.

For someone starting a backyard chicken flock, choosing feed for livestock or preparing a spring vegetable garden, having access to experienced local guidance can make the shopping experience more approachable.

And for residents who value supporting businesses that reinvest in their communities, Candler Feed and Seed offers another reason to shop close to home.

Discover the Candler Feed and Seed difference

Whether you’re caring for household pets, managing a small farm, planting a garden or exploring homesteading, Candler Feed and Seed offers a locally focused option for supplies and guidance.

More importantly, the business continues to demonstrate that being a good neighbor can be just as important as offering quality products.

To explore available products, learn about community initiatives or discover more about Candler Feed and Seed, visit www.candler-feed-and-seed.com.