Family celebrates 30 years in business

By Jill Bock

Special to Business Today

SIKESTON - Some business ventures end with a tornado. Slusher Farm and Home Store began with one.

More than 30 years ago, after a tornado tore through Southeast Missouri, Glen and Ann Slusher surveyed the shambles left of their crops in the field and decided if they were going to raise a family, they needed another source of income along with farming.

Shortly after buying a body shop in Sikeston, the Slushers were approached about operating a farm store. It was a perfect match they agreed, so in 1972 construction began on the first 15,000 square feet of a building at 1035 S. Main St.

In April 1973, the store opened for business.

The Slushers put an emphasis on putting their customers first, working to match their inventory to the needs of area farmers.

It was a formula for success. Over the past 30 years the store has expanded five times, growing to over 45,000 square feet today.

And the store has met the Slushers' desire to provide for their children. While Glen and Ann Slusher are no longer actively involved in the day-to-day operation, their children are. Their son, Glen Alan Slusher, oversees the tire department, daughter Donna Thompson is the office manager, and daughter Cindy and her husband, Larry Farrenburg, serve as store managers.

Today the business not only serves the needs of farmers but also those of the general public. The shelves are filled with lawn and garden supplies, electrical and plumbing needs and hardware.

The automotive department is backed by Universal Select Parts with overnight service for those hard to find items. The tire department carries a range of brands, noted Glen Alan Slusher, including Firestone, Michelin, Goodrich, Uniroyal, Mastercraft and more. Tires are available for lawnmowers, trucks, cars and tractors.

There is a clothing department carrying namebrand favorites such as Carhartt, Key, Georgia and LaCrosse.

"Carhartt has become one of the most preferred clothing lines for the workforce. The popularity of its jeans and dungarees keeps us ordering every week," said Cindy Farrenburg. "It is an excellent product and we carry a very large selection."

And, of course, there continues to be a variety of agricultural products available.

The owners are quick to point out if a customer has a need and can't find it on the shelves, the staff will make every effort to locate it or will order it.

"Our business is based on customer service," said Cindy Farrenburg. "Our employees try their best to help customers find what they are looking for and answer their questions."

Working with the family members are 18 employees, many with a long-time affiliation with the store.

While inside the work is always under way to ensure customers can find just what they want, recently there was work outside, too. The exterior received a facelift with a new exterior going up just in time for the company's anniversary celebration last month.

Jill Bock is editor of the Standard Democrat in Sikeston.