Central Farm Supply of Atmore began its 35th year in business on Jan. 2.

Manager Doug Smith, who has been at Central Farm since it opened its Atmore location on Trammell Street in 1985, said the store is still basically a feed store.

Smith said Central Farm Supply had another location in Monroeville, which was the original supply store.

“They started in 1976, and then they opened this one on Jan. 2, 1985. Now, it’s just the one location,” Smith said.

Smith said he credits customer service mostly as the big key in the business’s longevity.

“We try to instill in our employees to not sit on your hands, and to get out and see what people want,” he said. “We encourage them to greet them when they come into the door and see how you can help them. Treat people like you want to be treated.”

Smith said feed is the most consistent-selling product at Central Farm Supply.

“Then, we have a lot of things we sell, like now it’s fruit trees,” he said. “Then, when spring gets here, you get your vegetables and vegetable seed. Then, in the fall, it’s food plots for deer hunters. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas time, Christmas trees and poinsettias are the sellers.”

Shawna Blosser, who has been working at Central Farm Supply for four years in March, said she likes working at the supply store because of her daily interaction with customers and dealing with the flowers.

“Not watering them,” Blosser quipped. “I like to help customers pick out things that go together.”

Smith added that Blosser does a good job of helping customers with their flower arrangements.

Smith said they wouldn’t have been here this long if it weren’t for the customers.

“It’s been a pleasure helping them,” he said. “We thank everybody for being gracious to us, and all of our customers. It’s an awesome place to be. I really love the people of Atmore, and the town and everything about it is just wonderful.”