OAKHURST – When the doors were closed at Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply on Sept. 15, there was little warning for patrons and employees that the store, which has been around for about 50 years, was going out of business.
But then came good news for those who frequent the shop – it was reopened under new owners who are very excited about the future — and their formal Grand Opening Party is on Saturday, Feb. 2 with giveaways, drawings, tri-tip sandwiches, vendors talking about their products, and more community fun.
Beth Trenchard and her brother Charlie Loucks have teamed up with Beth’s son Daniel Trenchard to take over the business in its current location.
Beth says she had talked with the previous owner last year about buying the store, but that it didn’t work out. When she saw the notice on Facebook on Sept. 10 that the business was closing down, she picked up the phone, agreed to the purchase, then packed up and headed to Oakhurst from her home in Arizona.
She arrived in Oakhurst on Sept. 28 and set to work interviewing and hiring employees, and getting the shop sorted out and cleaned up. They opened just three days later on Monday, Oct. 1.
Both Beth and Charlie have decades of retail experience. After graduating from Mariposa High School in 1986, Beth went to work the very next day for the Curry Company in Yosemite, continuing her employment when Delaware North took over as concessionaire in 1993. She spent seven years as manager of a Pet Smart near Phoenix, Ariz., and is delighted to be back in the mountain area.
Her brother and business partner Charlie Loucks is retired from his position as manager of a Home Depot in Merced.
Both want everyone to know that they are open for business, and invite the community to stop in and say hello.
The store is stocked with most of the previous inventory, and new items are on order.
“Just let us know what you want, and we’ll do our best to get it for you,” says Beth. “We may be out of some things, but we’re asking everyone to be patient as we get things up and running again.”
The new owners and employees are very excited to hit the ground running, and are looking forward to meeting the community.
Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check their Facebook page in the coming days to get to know the new owners and see what’s happening at the store!
