Last day of business Aug. 31 for Olsen's Elevator & Feeds
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A longtime downtown Polo business will close its doors next week.
Aug. 31 is the last day of business for Olsen's Elevator & Feeds, 116 N. Franklin Ave.
After 54 years in the feed business, Ed Olsen is retiring. His store manager and niece-in-law Samantha "Sam" Olsen hopes to find another job.
It was pretty much business as usual Monday morning, with a steady stream of customers coming in to shop, ask a question, or just to visit awhile.
"After you close, where can a guy go to get old-fashioned NK (Northrup King) sweet corn seed?" asked one man.
Sam referred him to a local NK dealer who lives just out of town.
Another noted that the shelves were almost empty of the usual garden seeds, pet food, bird seed and feeders, lawn decorations, and lawn care products, thanks to an ongoing sale.
"It's just about all gone," Sam agreed.
Olsen's has been a mainstay of Polo's downtown for 81 years, ever since Ed's father Axel Olsen Sr. opened a feed store in May of 1929.
Ed's brother Axel Jr. (Bud) partnered with their father in 1946 and Ed bought his father's share a decade later.
"I've been here since 1956, after I got out of the service," Ed said.
Ed partially retired in 2008 when the business discontinued grain handling, feed grinding, and deliveries.
The buildings associated with the elevator part of the business have all been sold, and the office and store building is for sale, he said.
Ed said he has no definite plans for his retirement, but expects to stay busy with woodworking projects, and traveling with his wife, Karen, to visit family members in Wisconsin, Louisiana, and California.
"I have no plans for employment," he said with a chuckle.
Both Ed and Sam said what they will miss about the business is their customers.
"I'll miss the routine of doing this for 13 years and getting to know everybody," Sam said.
"I'll miss just talking to the people," Ed said. "Anyone who's around on the 31st is invited to stop in for a cup of coffee and a cookie for old times sake."
