Seed & feed under new ownership

One of Sundance's most familiar stores has new owners and a new name.

Formerly Cassidy's Seed and Feed, owned for 38 years by Larry and Nancy Cassidy, the business will now be known as Bearlodge Ag Supply under the ownership of Liz and Clint Schneider.

"Me and my husband both wanted to own a business. My husband comes from a family that's earned multiple businesses and I wanted to get back to the animal science degree that I went to college for," says Liz of the couple's decision to take over the store.

"We knew they were getting older and ready for retirement, and that it would probably be available, so we just came in and said that we were kicking tires and thinking about it and they were obviously very excited."

Bearlodge Ag Supply will continue to provide feed and ag supply for livestock, horses, chickens, dogs and cats, just as the store has always done.

"We have the same feed distributors and everything, and we kept the same pricing that they had," she says.

The couple has meanwhile been highlighting various items for sale within the store, such as products to prepare animals for showing, insect repellant and de-wormer.

"It's stuff they always had, it's just getting it out there so people know," she says.

The only significant change for customers, says Liz, will be a new location to pick up bulk orders.

"Our bulk storage is in a different location – it was at their home, so now we have a garage over by what used to be Four Aces and is Discreet Ballistic now," she says.

"Hopefully next year we can put something up that's bigger and all in one spot."

Speaking of which, Clint and Liz are hoping to expand the store next year. They intend to remain in Sundance, but are not yet sure exactly where the new premises will be.

What they are sure of, however, is that they would like to be able to host the bulk storage and the main storefront in the same place.

The new owners have also added a credit card machine – which means it will now be possible to purchase your items by card – as well as computerized customer order history.

Liz has worked at Sundance High School and Sundance Elementary as a special education para for the last five years and will continue to do so next year. Before that, she was a vet tech.

Clint is meanwhile a hunting guide, something he has done since he graduated high school, and a ranch hand in the off season.

The building may have switched hands, but one occupant is definitely not going anywhere.

"Scamper came with the store," Liz smiles. "Everybody knows Scamper and was very concerned he would be staying here."

On the other hand, Scamper is no longer a sole occupant – he has been joined by a new business mascot of the canine variety: the couple's pup, Clyde.

"They're getting to know each other," she laughs.

Bearlodge Ag Supply is located at #5 Hwy 116 and can be contacted via 283-2469. Opening hours remain the same as always.

Customers old and new are invited to stop in and meet the owners – and, of course, their four-legged assistants.