JOHN DAY — If you’ve been to Pioneer Feed and Farm Supply recently, you may have noticed a couple of new but familiar faces at the cash register.

Longtime business partners Sam Palmer and Tad Houpt took ownership of the store in October. The store sells everything from livestock feed and pet food to animal treats and toys, jewelry, T-shirts, air rifles, storage sheds and more.

“Back in July I’d stopped in to get something, and I think Dean (Fox) had mentioned that the previous sale fell through,” Palmer said. “I talked to my business partner and we started exploring it, looking at the numbers, and it looked like it was going to fit, and here we are.”

The duo of Palmer and Houpt said they paid an even $1 million to acquire Pioneer Feed from former owner Dean Fox, who opened the store at 831 W. Highway 26 in John Day back in 2008.

Business ownership is not new to Palmer and Houpt. The two ran a logging company together for 30 years. Palmer also worked as a nurse at the same time, recently retiring after more than 40 years in the profession.

Palmer described the acquisition of Pioneer Feed and Farm Supply as the next evolution of the partners’ business strategy, although he added that running a feed store is a totally different experience from running a logging company.

“It’s more structured hours; it’s more steady,” he said. “It’s a higher learning curve. … There’s so much in this store, such a variety to know — that’s been the difficult part.”

While they’re still learning the ropes of running a feed store, Palmer and Houpt are already planning a few changes. Among them are a food cart which will offer hamburgers, hotdogs and bratwursts along with an on-site greenhouse that will offer fresh vegetables and flower starts.

“That’s all in the works, and the cart is being built as we speak,” Palmer said.

Palmer said the additions are a way for the business to provide more reasons for the community to shop at Pioneer Feed.

“We’re just happy to support the community that has supported us for our whole lives,” he said.

“We’ve been very pleased with the community support of people, friends, family and neighbors that have come to support us,” he added.

The pair said they plan to operate Pioneer Feed and Farm Supply for the long haul.

“I was just entering into my retirement,” Palmer said, “so this is kind of my retirement.”

At a glance

WHAT: Pioneer Feed and Farm Supply sells everything from livestock feed and pet food to high-powered air rifles, T-shirts, storage sheds and more

WHERE: 831 W. Highway 26 in John Day

HOURS: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday

EMPLOYEES: Three, including owners Sam Palmer and Tad Houpt