From its earliest days, The Feedlot at 110 N. Kentucky has been community-focused.
It began when Steve and Frances Kinzle brainstormed about what kind of business to open on the remainder of the lot where their first business — Triple K Parts & Services — is located. “We looked at laundromats and several other things,” said Steve. “The end result was The Feedlot because we thought the community needed a feed store more than a lot of other things.”
The Kinzles’ hunch was spot on.
On Friday, the Feedlot celebrated its 30th anniversary. 
PRIOR TO opening The Feedlot in 1995, the Kinzles had purchased Triple K Parts & Services in April 1983. “We started downtown at 202 N. Washington,” said Steve. “After a couple years of growing fast, we had to move to something bigger.”
That was when Triple K moved to its current location at 128 N. Kentucky. With this move came extra ground to develop for future business.
Starting The Feedlot was “kind of a fluke,” says Frances. “We owned some ground and decided we should do something with it.”
The creation of The Feedlot went quickly. “We got in touch with Purina and some of the other major players in the feed industry,” said Steve. “They furnished us with all the feed and supplies that we needed. And then — boom — we put up a building.”
“The whole building was kind of built on a whim,” explained Frances. “It took a while to develop.” In the beginning, some of the products were displayed on straw bales or pallets. “It was pretty primitive,” she laughed.
When it initially opened, The Feedlot had a warehouse aesthetic. “A lot of people had no idea that we also specialize in dog food and products,” said Frances. “Pets of any kind, really. That’s why we added to the front of the building — to make it appear like it wasn’t just a farm warehouse.”
THIRTY YEARS later, the straw bales have long been replaced with shelving and the business is now under the ownership of the Kinzles’ daughter, Alana. While assuming ownership three years ago, 33-year-old Alana has been involved in its management for 13 years.
“I grew up in it,” she said. “I didn’t see myself doing anything else. I like the business, the people, and the community. I felt this is where I needed to be and it’s where God put me.”
Her parents couldn’t be any prouder.
“She has an excellent rapport with the sales reps and customers,” said Frances. “If a customer comes in and she doesn’t know the answer, she will work to get it resolved. She has a loyal following of livestock and pet customers.”
Since taking over the business, Alana has expanded its animal health products and feeding equipment.
“Back in the day, it was more of an equine world,” Alana said. “We don’t see as much of that now. We are more of a cattle base. In my time, I’ve seen the cattle working equipment and vaccines market change. It has had a lot of growth.”
Alana appreciates the store’s loyal customer base.
