Continued Growth

With the continued growth of business, in 1966, Tom ventured outside the family tree and hired a young but somewhat experienced individual, Joe Bloski, to assist him in managing the 60-year-old company. This proved to be the beginning of the development of a strong management team which in 1967 included the hiring of Andy Kobiela, a feed nutritionist with seed cleaning expertise. In 1971, John Bloski joined the company primarily to oversee the warehousing and distribution of agricultural and horticultural supplies. Rounding out the management team was the Accountant/Office Manager, Mary Clynton, who worked for the company for 27 years, retiring in 1979.

Some streamlining of the company’s operating began to take place with the sale of both the Battleford store and Aylsham elevator to enable management time to focus on the Saskatoon retail and manufacturing facility.
In spite of again experiencing success under the new management team, time began taking its toll on the aging buildings and fatigued equipment. It became apparent that changes were imminent of the company was to continue into the 21st Century. The continued redevelopment of the downtown area, Midtown Plaza, was in itself forcing the question of Early’s viability at its Idywyld location.

In 1982 a major reconstruction of the company’s ownership began to take place. Through Tom Early’s foresight and leadership and with the support of two long time employees, Joe and John Bloski, Early Seed & Feed Limited became Early’s Farm & Garden Center Inc. For the first time in the 76-year history of the company, it no had shareholders outside of the Early family, as Joe and John Bloski became partners with Tom Early.

Mr. Early was the major shareholder and assumed the position of President. However, the entire business operation was entrusted to Joe Bloski as General Manager and John Bloski, who became Assistant to the General Manager.

Shortly thereafter, plans for relocating began to take place on February 23rd, 1983, Early’s Farm & Garden Centre Inc. opened its doors to a new facility at 2615 Lorne Avenue. This move marked the beginning of a new era for Early’s! Gone was the feed manufacturing and the seed cleaning plant but more significant was the demise of the downtown location which had been a prominent city landmark for 70 years!

As product lines continued to change with a greater emphasis on retail, the history of the company’s seed and feed business still maintained its high profile position. Management recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the golf course boom and aggressively pursued marketing not only the sale of seed but other golf course amenities. Early’s became a major supplier to new projects like the Willows and Elkridge Golf Resort and expanded its marketing to approximately 200 golf facilities throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. The new 25,000 sq. ft. facility also enabled the company to expand its garden product line and pet supply department along with saddlery and tack.
Early’s ability to be flexible and change with the times while maintaining S.A. Early’s Mission Statement of Policy, “Commitment to Customer Service”, paved the way for its success into the 21st Century.