Al-Joe’s still thriving after 91 years

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Al-Joe’s Pet and Garden Center began in 1921 as just a feed shop, and today is still thrives as a family business with a concentration more on servicing equipment.

Albert Huesman opened his feed shop 91 years ago on Court Street, according to grandson Gary Grollmus, who now operates the business with his brothers Mike and Tim.

“He mixed up a lot of feed for small, domestic animals like birds and rabbits,” Grollmus said. “I guess he just saw a niche that was something people needed back then.

“My dad (Paul Grollmus) turned in more into a garden center,” he added.

Paul Grollmus joined the business in the 1950s and eventually moved it to Brookwood Avenue, where it has been for the last 45 years.

“When we moved out here, there was only one other business on this road,” Gary Grollmus said. “My grandpa thought dad was insane for coming out here with nothing around, but look at it now.”

Grollmus said he has worked in some capacity in the shop since he was 8 years old.

“We did snow removal then and I always had my hand on a shovel,” he said, adding that his two daughters Anna and Abigail are dabbling in the business too.

Al-Joe’s is beginning to bounce back from the economic downturn, Grollmus said. They’ve diversified more into the lawn care and service end of things and expanded their service department this year.

“You have to expand where you are growing,” Grollmus said. “But even the retail is coming back for the first time in two or three years.

“You have to adjust to the needs of your customer,” he continued. “There is nothing we can do or sell that can’t be bought somewhere else, so people come here for a reason and that reason I believe is they trust us.”

But Grollmus said he knows a reputation can be quickly tarnished.

“It’s really pretty simple,” Grollmus said. “You try to do an honest job and I think people respect that. But it still boils down to the customer and treating them with respect. We’re blessed to still be here.”