Jordan Beck | Daily Press Mel’s Lawn, Garden, and Feed Center CFO Carolyn Taylor, left, and owner Glen Taylor stand by their store’s selection of work boots. The store has been a family-owned business since it opened decades ago.

Editor’s note: The Daily Press features a profile of an area business each week. This week’s featured business is Mel’s Lawn, Garden, and Feed Center in Escanaba.

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By Jordan Beck

jbeck@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Since it opened decades ago, Mel’s Lawn, Garden, and Feed Center has been a family-owned business. According to CFO Carolyn Taylor, this tradition is not likely to end any time soon.

Mel’s, located at 1620 6th Ave. N., Escanaba, was established in the area in 1980 by Mel Taylor and his wife Lilan Taylor.

“When their chicken coop burned to the ground, they … opened a business in Escanaba,” Carolyn said.

In 1993, the store was bought by current owner Glen Taylor — Mel’s son and Carolyn’s husband.

“Since then, he’s more than doubled the size (and) expanded into household (pet supplies) and work boots,” Carolyn said.

According to Carolyn, business at Mel’s has been strong. She attributed this to the store’s emphasis on offering friendly service and its in-depth understanding of the products they sell.

“To compete with all of the big-box stores that moved to town, Mel’s prides itself on customer service and … product knowledge,” she said.

While some products at Mel’s — such as work boots — sell well throughout the year, many of the store’s most popular products change with the seasons. Currently, the store’s customers are getting ready to do yard work.

“Lawn and garden is really big,” Carolyn said of current sales trends at the store. Because of this, she said mid-April to late June is one of the two busiest seasons at Mel’s.

The store’s other particularly busy time of year lasts from mid-September to the end of November. According to Carolyn, products related to hunting and late planting sell well in these months.

Carolyn said Mel’s is expected to remain in the Taylor family in the future. Her son Sam, who is currently 21, is interested in eventually taking over the business.

“Two summers ago, we redid all of our equipment … in hopes of securing a future for our children in carrying on the Mel’s tradition,” she said.