Sunday, September 21, 2008 — Oakboro Ag, Power & Turf Equipment, Inc. was recently featured in the summer edition of Yard & Garden.
“We were chosen by the publisher from Wisconsin, who said we had been nominated by several of the manufacturers that we support in our store,” said Joel Thomas, owner.
A crew of reporters and photographers flew from Wisconsin in May and spent the weekend at the store, at 1160 N. Main St. in Oakboro.
“It was Memorial Day weekend and we were very busy. For a lot of the weekend, they walked around taking pictures because we didn’t have time to talk. It wasn’t until we closed on Saturday before we could sit down for an interview,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the crew was surprised and amazed at the business Oakboro Ag, Power & Turf could get in a little town.
The store pulls from a 9-county area with a 15,000-buyer customer base. The counties include Stanly, Anson, Montgomery, Union, Richmond, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Iredell and Rowan.
As a result of the article, Thomas received several letters of congratulations from presidents of the various manufacturing companies.
“It is a humbling experience. Especially when the crew said they had been in similar stores all across the U.S., but ours was the nicest they’d seen,” Thomas said.
Thomas founded Oakboro Ag, Power & Turf in 1992 when he decided to sell several of the used farm equipment that he owned. He originally rented a lot down the road from the store’s present location, which they moved to in 1996.
Thomas believes the 16 years he has been in business is a result of the customer service his employees provide.
“I am blessed to have the staff that we have here because they have made the difference with the level of service they try to give,” Thomas said.
There are currently 10 full-time employees on staff and five part-time.
There is not only a sales department, which is responsible for helping customers purchase the various kinds of merchandise like lawn mowers, tractors, back hoes, chain saws, weed eaters and many more items, but there is also a service and repair department.
“We have something for anybody with pretty much everything you would need for your lawn, garden or farm,” Thomas said.
Thomas also said the store can order special parts and they service most brands of outdoor power equipment, including brands they sell and others.
They will even deliver tractors on Christmas Day.
The store also offers educational seminars and classes in March and November. Thomas said the shop area is turned into classrooms while part of the sales floor houses a buffet. There are also representatives from the various manufacturers that set up booths and hold demonstrations.
This is an event the store has been hosting for nearly six years, and the next education seminar will be held Nov. 20-22.
The seminars are held during the hours of operation, which are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and by appointment any day but Sundays.
Contact Tiffany Thompson at (704) 982-2121 ext. 24 or snaponline24@carolina.rr.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Oakboro Ag, Power & Turf Equipment has many options for individuals looking to buy a tractor, lawn mower or other piece of equipment.
-
Discussion
Oakboro business featured in Yard & Garden
- Local News
-
-
Benefit raises $2K for C.A.R.E.
The community does care about C.A.R.E.
-
DHHS selects Monarch CEO to serve on DWAC
North Carolina Depart-ment of Health and Human (DHHS) Services Secretary Lanier Cansler recently appointed Dr. Peggy Terhune, chief executive officer at Monarch and executive director of The Arc of Stanly County, to the DHHS Waiver Advisory Committee (DWAC).
-
STANFIELD Town receives updates on break-ins, grants
Town commissioners received a report from Stanfield Police Department for the month of January during the council meeting Thursday night.
- SCCM seeks donations through Souper Bowl of Caring campaign
- TCR now offers care in Stanly
-
57 nursing homes win enhancement grants
Gov. Bev Perdue announced Jan. 19 that 57 North Carolina nursing homes are receiving grant funds totaling more than $640,000 that will be used to improve facilities to the benefit of their residents.
-
Smith named Ambassador of the Year
The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce presented its 2011 Ambassador of the Year award to Tonya Smith during its 77th annual meeting Monday night.
-
Lowder named Citizen of the Year
A lifelong resident of Millingport was named the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce 2011 Citizen of the Year at Monday evening’s annual meeting of the chamber.
-
Green Pieces Recycling named Small Business of the Year
Green Pieces Recycling was named the 2011 Small Business of the Year at the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Monday.
-
Sheriff’s Office arrests 2 on B&E charges
Two Norwood men were arrested recently on breaking and entering charges, according to the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office.
- More Local News Headlines
-
