Thanks to Stoffel’s, All Your Pet Needs Are Right Here

HURLEY, WI - by Keri Singleton - Friday, February 12, 2010 - If the expansion from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet within three years is any indication; people are happy Stoffel’s is here. Ron and Laurie Stoffel, with their son Dan Berg, have created a store that rivals any huge company’s selections, while keeping the atmosphere decidedly small-town and friendly. Located at 5496 West U.S. Highway 2, Hurley, Wisconsin, Stoffel’s is easily accessible no matter where you live in the area.

What makes them so successful? Perhaps their expansive selection of everything from goat harnesses, to feed for your pot-bellied pig, to dog beds? Maybe it’s their combined knowledge of animals that sets them apart. I have a hunch that it’s these things, plus the exceptional service you get at Stoffel’s. They opened the small section of the store in August of 2006, and in October 2009, the 3,000 square foot expansion was finished. I asked them how they came to settle here, in our area, and what drove them to open the store. Their plans, it seems, were rearranged.

Ron Stoffel started working after high school at Fleet Farm in West Bend, Wisconsin, then Germantown, Wisconsin, on to Hudson, Wisconsin, landing in Lakeville, Minnesota. Laurie worked for a wildlife magazine for seven years, prior to working at Petco. Dan Berg, their son, began working at Petco at age 17, followed by two years at Land-O-Lakes Purina. He is now 25. Ron and Laurie were working at different Petco’s in Minnesota; she in Maple Grove, he in Apple Valley, when they met in 1997 at a manager’s trade show for Petco, in California. The trade show lasted a week, but changed their lives forever. Why did they relocate here?

Ron said, “Strictly to slow down our lives and ride our horses.” Well, so much for slowing down. Ron and Laurie say they love their customers, and love what they do, which is provide anything a pet owner could need. After relocating here, the couple grew tired of having to drive long distances to get what supplies they wanted; namely grain and premium dog food. Dan, who was still in Minnesota, would come home to visit, bringing as many supplies as he could from the city. Upon moving here, Laurie was employed at a vet’s office in Iron River, Wisconsin, and Ron worked at North Star Beverage, Hurley. They decided to try the store, and the rest as they say, is history.

Stoffel’s has everything from horse tack, to livestock feed, to dog litter boxes. You can get feed for your: beef, pig, sheep, goat, alpaca, and pot bellied pig, among others. There is bird food, dog and cat food, farm aids, horse fencing, halters for horses and goats, and dog beds. Fish are a new addition since the expansion. The wall of fish contains gold fish, as well as tropical and freshwater fish. Dan is the fish expert; specializing in the fish department at Petco and Petsmart. Laurie said the fish department is growing rapidly, and they have many fish customers. In the spring, baby chicks, ducks, turkeys, and geese will be available. Last year was the first year for the greenhouse, and it did so well, they will double it this year. Trees and shrubs will be offered, as well as annuals, perennials, vegetables, and roses.

Laurie and Ron said they have great customers, and they love what they do, even though they don’t have as much time for horse-back riding. There will be a vet clinic coming up the first or second week or March, with Ashland Area Vet Clinic coming to Stoffel’s for a low-cost vaccination clinic.

Laurie is the Iron County 4-H leader, as well as an Iron County Fair Board Member, and told me that this Sunday, the 14th, there will be a Equine Chiropractic Demo at 6:00 PM at Willow Creek Farm, located at 14211 Stateline Road, Hurley, Wisconsin. The fee is $10.00. Refreshments will be provided by Iron County 4-H clubs, and there will be door prizes. Ron, Laurie, and Dan are all fire wardens now, and can issue burn permits. Stoffel’s are very involved in the community, and each year they buy livestock market animals from both the Iron County and Gogebic County fairs, from the 4-H Market Animal Livestock Auction. At the end of each year, unused meat is donated to local food pantries, with approximately 300 pounds going to Ironwood Food Pantry this year. The store also helps H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter with, among other things, discounted food. There is a Stoffel’s Face Book page, as well as an Iron County Fair page, and people are encouraged to become fans.

Stoffel’s is your one-stop shop for any and all of your pet’s needs. They are open 7 days a week. Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They are located ¼ mile west of the Michigan/Wisconsin border on U.S. Highway 2.

Phone: 715-561-3344
Fax: 715-561-3346
Stoffelcountry@centurytel.net