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
-
-
World War II veterans will gather at luncheon
Stanly Community College (SCC) will host its 9th Annual WWII Veterans recognition luncheon May 29 in the Webb Student Center on the Albemarle campus.
-
Stanly County Family YMCA Awarded $25,000 Grant from ALCOA Foundation
The Alcoa Foundation has awarded a grant of $25,000 to the Stanly County Family YMCA to help promote water safety and swimming skills through the 2nd Grade Learn to Swim Program at the Y.
-
World's Largest Swimming lesson set for June 14
Stanly County Family YMCA serving as an official host location
-
Volunteers help United Way agencies, community during Day of Caring
On May 11, more than 80 volunteers gathered at various worksites around Stanly County to participate in the second United Way Day of Caring event.
-
City offers optional warranty protection
The city of Albemarle is introducing a new, optional program available to homeowners, provided through the National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Warranty Program administered by Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA).
-
Chamber members, elected officials help break ground on Richfield McDonald’s
The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce joined with local officials, clergy and business owners Thursday morning to break ground at what is to be the site of the fourth McDonald’s in Stanly County.
-
Manager proposes no tax increase; other rates may go up
Several changes are proposed for the upcoming budget year for Stanly County, according to County Manager Andy Lucas, who presented the recommended 2012-2013 budget during Monday night’s Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting.
-
Sheriff’s Office arrests sex offender, says he failed to notify it of address change
An Albemarle man is facing sex offender non-compliance charges after he failed to notify authorities of his address change.
-
IAC receives GM award for third time
For the third time in four years, International Auto-motive Components (IAC) was named the Supplier of the Year by General Motors.
-
Police arrest 2 on multiple charges
Two individuals were arrested after stolen property was found at a residence in Albemarle.
- More Local News Headlines
-
World War II veterans will gather at luncheon
