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Alliston Feed Service celebrates grand re–opening after fire

November 2, 2016   ·   0 Comments

From the ashes they rise – Peter and Sheila Dockerty with Mayor, Rick Milne, and Councillors JJ Paul Whiteside and Donna Jebb at the Grand Opening of the Mill Market on Oct. 29.
By Wendy Gabrek
Alliston Feed Service Ltd. (1995) hosted a grand re–opening of its new permanent retail store on Saturday, Oct. 29.
The original century-old feed mill, owned and operated by Peter and Sheila Dockerty, as originally located on Albert Street, sadly burned down in August 2016.
“As (many of you may) know, after the fire we moved our store and had to rent warehouse space,” said Peter.
With their new store now complete, the Dockertys wanted to welcome the public in to see the new (and amazing) space – beside Boston Pizza – and give guests a chance to meet their suppliers.
The new store has a “Mill Market” section, stocked with artisan food items from local suppliers, which has attracted new walk-in, and first time customers. The Mill Market has grown the Feed Service’s food selection by over 500 per cent.
But all hope is not lost at the original site.
“The coverall warehouse at the site of the mill will soon be re-covered, and we will be moving back there also,” added Sheila.
Guests attending the grand re–opening were treated to a tour of the feed warehouse storage area at the back of the store plus the loading area, to get an idea of the products they now carry to match local livestock needs.
“The store itself has an expanded pet food, bird seed, and hardware area, plus we have added many more local foods to create the ‘Mill Market,’” said Peter.
Food displays and samplings were available on the day from Sheldon Creek Dairy, Homestead Artesian Bakery, and Creemore Coffee Company.  There was also many in-store specials offered that day, and lunch – pulled pork on a bun – was served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Many hands made for light work on what was no doubt an emotional day, and the Dockertys would like to acknowledge the following people: Ken, Kathy, Tara, Nancy, Kieran, Sheila, Matt and Shane.
“Business has picked up as far as the walk in trade with 30 per cent of the people being new. They are purchasing food, bird seed and pet food and supplies,” report the Dockertys. “We are still striving to make sure we meet the needs of our livestock customers.”
“As future plans go we are just focused on the present then will concentrate on the future.”
Whatever their plans the hope is the Dockerty’s will continue to feed the community for another century.

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