There is a pleasant, earthy scent of fresh potting soil that grabs your attention when you enter AB Hatchery & Garden Center along with the visual stimulation with aisles of colorful bags of bird seed and specialty food for dogs and cats. This well-preserved Bloomington brick-and-mortar has been a staple in this community for multiple generations, built on a mantra of “all your gardening and animal care supplies in one place.”
“I wanted to own AB Hatchery because I wanted to help the community, and I wanted to be able to support my family at the same time,” said AB Hatchery owner Bill Inks. “This is one of the best ways I’ve found to be able to do both and not feel bad about what I do on a daily basis.”
Hatching the business
AB Hatchery was originally established in 1920 in nearby Saybrook, Illinois, by founders Mr. Augustus and Mr. Butler, providing cattle feed and live poultry to the community. The current location of AB Hatchery is a piece of local history in its own right as Bill explained to us. “The building was originally built in the 1890s. It was a feed store. We used to offload the grain right off of railroad cars outside in the parking lot.”
The business was eventually acquired by the McCain family in 1961 and that is when a garden center was added.
“The previous owners, brothers Jeff and Lynn McCain, weren’t really looking to sell the place,” noted Bill. “I just happened to walk in, talked to them, and worked out a really good deal for both of us.”
For Bill, acquiring the store was the perfect union of his gardening passion and retail expertise.
“I have degrees in agriculture, agribusiness and horticulture from Illinois State University here in town. I’ve been in the industry for almost 20 years. I also have a background in retail management at Walmart,” explained Bill. “So, I have a lot of merchandising expertise from that, and it all kind of fit together to do this job.”
Bill’s motivation to buy the business in 2018 stemmed from his strong desire to sell native Illinois perennials.
“The opportunity presented itself when I was working for another garden center in town, and I was really enjoying what I wanted to do and bought my own store to be able to do the same thing.”
Although his vision included an expansion of the store’s plant selection, Bill said he was deeply respectful of the legacy of AB Hatchery.
“When I purchased this business, we really didn’t want to change a lot of the good things they (the McCain family) had going here,” Bill stated while nothing that the only major structural update at AB Hatchery was to turn a warehouse space into a new plant room. As for the name of the business, Bill said he was careful to preserve and honor the rich history.
“We kept the name AB Hatchery because of the mystique. People didn’t know what it was. Hatchery means chicken hatchery,” noted Bill. “They hatched chickens here for about 30 years.”
Today, Bill said that AB Hatchery is selling live chickens once again to the delight of customers.
“Every spring we buy chickens to sell,” said Bill with a smile. “Our community just legalized backyard chickens within the last five years, so it became very popular. Everybody wants to grow their own eggs, have their own birds at home to save on money and know what they are putting into their food.”
The store’s role as a community haven became especially vital during the pandemic, according to Bill.
“During COVID, this was a place that people would come and you could see the troubles lift off their shoulders. You could see them walk in the door, to the plants and just be happier with what’s going on during a time of really big struggles.”
Although the pandemic was a period of immense hardship for many, Bill acknowledged the impact of COVID on his business.
“Obviously it was a major struggle for our country and our community, but it was a huge boom for our business,” said Bill. “We had all the things that people were needing when they were stuck at home. We provided a clean environment with safe employees and did the right things.”
Nature’s general store
The heart of AB Hatchery seems to be rooted in the personal touch that defines the interaction of the staff with their customers. Bill said he loves the autonomy and family atmosphere he has cultivated.
“I love the store, because I get to decide what happens,” said Bill. “I’m the boss. I get to make the decisions.”
“I have some really wonderful staff that work for me and I love to watch them grow and succeed over time. It’s a place that my family can also work. I have both my wife and my sister-in-law working with me. Our kids come in sometimes and get to help carry out bags and run the cash registers during the busy season.”
This focus on family translates into a signature trait of exceptional service that distinguishes AB Hatchery from larger chains, according to Bill.
“You go to those big box stores and they don’t talk to you. You’re going to be left alone or you’re going to have to hunt down people,” Bill remarked. “My staff is here and ready to talk to you. We don’t ask to carry your bags out. We just carry the bags out for you. I think that’s what you want from an independent garden center or pet store.”
Bill explained that personal service is especially crucial in the competitive pet supply market in Bloomington where there are several pet stores owned by national chains. Bill said it is a challenge to compete on price alone, especially when it comes to dog food, so he focuses on expertise and value.
“We have a lot of specialty feeds, a lot of limited ingredient lines that help dogs that have dietary restrictions,” said Bill. “We try to help people that have pet diets who can’t necessarily afford the vet prescription dog foods.”
“The biggest reason pet owners are coming back is definitely our service, because we know what we’re talking about. We know how to get them the food they need. We also have a frequent buyer program to keep them, happy and even get them some free dog food once in a while.”
On the garden side of his business, Bill acknowledged that native Illinois perennials and shrubs are his big sellers.
“That’s what has people coming in the door and gets them excited to see what’s coming on that Friday truck every week,” stated Bill who noted that he loves retail because “no day is ever the same.”
“I like to try new things and have challenges,” said Bill while looking over the store. “I think what I like the most about working in retail is the daily challenge and change. I never know if I’m going to come in to a sick dog or a sick plant or to record a commercial.”
In fact, Bill said problem solving is one of his favorite parts of the job.
“I had to stop at a man’s house because he had a tree that was sick. It was having issues and he needed help,” explained Bill. “I figured out what was wrong and was able to help him keep this family tree alive for many more generations. That’s the kind of customer service we provide here at AB Hatchery.”
The store has been on East Grove Street for 80 years and Bill believes AB Hatchery is still located in the perfect spot.
“One of the best parts about AB Hatchery is the location. We’re so close to the downtown,” said Bill. “A lot of people will just walk around and they bring their dogs in, and we love that.”
Bill also sees generational changes in the way people shop. He thinks it’s vital to keep up with the changing needs of his customers. While adapting to modern needs, the store also continues to offer something, Bill believes internet shopping can’t do for customers.
“There’s certain things you just can’t really buy online,” said Bill. “Plants are one of those things that you don’t know what you’re getting unless you can see it in person and be able to talk to somebody.
“I think AB Hatchery a staple in the community because we haven’t changed much in 80 years, at least in the physical sense,” explained Bill. “We’ve adapted to what customers are looking for, and meet the needs of the market I think quicker than some of the other stores can do. I think AB Hatchery matters because we sell happiness. We have the dog food and the plants that make people happy.”
Making small business work
Bill is very aware of the broader challenges now confronting small Illinois brick-and-mortars. He sees independent retailers as essential pillars of the local economy, a point he wishes legislators better understood.
“What I’d like Illinois politicians to know is that the independent retailers in this community and in this state are the backbone,” observed Bill. “We’re the ones that keep the business going during the tough times, who provide the support to our residents.”
While he feels the value of local business is recognized, he believes more concrete action is needed.
“I would like to see more legislation that benefits local businesses and makes it harder for larger companies,” stated Bill. “Not just retail, but in general to take advantage of the tax situation and the residents of our state.”
How to succeed
For any aspiring entrepreneur dreaming of opening their own brick-and-mortar store, Bill’s advice is straightforward and earned through experience.
“If somebody wanted to start their own brick-and-mortar retail building, I would say, find your niche,” advised Bill. “I think you need to find the thing that makes your store different from the rest of them. That’s going to set you apart and keep your customers coming back to find it.”
