Big changes at Jacob's
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| Gray, overcast skies and a slight drizzle couldn't take the smile off Shari Husk's face (center), as she cooked up a picnic on customer appreciation day Saturday at Jacob's. |
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| Nathan Johnson and Thomas Husk behind the parts counter at Jacob's Auto Parts, Feed & Farm. |
You can still get your rig repaired there, but the repair end of the business, now named Trison Services and Repair, now belongs to Nathan Johnson, who was looking to get back to North Idaho after repairing big rigs in North Dakota, particularly since he married Donna Goudy just two weeks ago and wants to put down roots here.
He offers full range auto and truck repair, from major overhauls to tires to oil changes and maintenance.
That's the back end of the building. The changes in the front end are a bit more noticeable. There's still the parts counter with the stools, aisles of auto parts and accessories ... just what you'd expect in a parts house, but now you'll find bags of feed; chicken, hog, horse and cattle, dog and cat food, lawn sprinklers and other items you'd more likely associate with a farm store, which is what it's becoming.
"Before long, we'll have a big little store," said Thomas Husk, who took over management after his parent's, Ron and Shari Husk, semi-retired. (In case you're wondering, the business is named after their first born, Jacob.) "We'll have a lot of inventory in a little store!"
He's expanding and updating the auto parts inventory, bringing in two deliveries a day, and slowly building up their feed and farm inventory based on what customers need.
"We just finished getting everything done to carry Aslin Finch products," Thomas said, "and we're taking requests to find out what our customers want and need. We'll soon be carrying veterinary supplies, and by spring, we'll have fencing, gates, rails, baling twine and all the rest. We'll be a full farm store."
There's already a good selection of feed needs, including pet food, and Husk said he intends to keep the prices competitive and the service outstanding. There's even tack on consignment.
"Since Quality (Farm & Garden) closed, I've seen a lot of folks go to Big R or Co-op in Sandpoint," he said. "My goal is to provide what they need right here."
Jacob's Auto Parts, Feed and Farm is located at 510007 Highway 95 near Three Mile Junction. To find out more, call (208) 267-5722.