Friendly take over at the Hemlock Agway

by D.E. Bentley –

A trio of autumn leaves blew in the door after me during a recent visit to the Agway store in Hemlock, NY.  It was a cold and blustery day outside.  Inside I found the same welcoming warmth I have always felt there. Ray Bournival, the new proprietor of the store, greeted me as I walked in.  A few minutes later, Jim Turner joined us in the front of the store.  Jim shared with me some history behind the building and the origins of Turner’s Agway, as the store has been known for many years.

The building that houses the Agway was initially built in the early 1900s, the second of two mills owned and operated by the Beam family.  It was rebuilt in 1917 after a fire damaged the first structure.   The Grange League Federation (GLF) took over the structure during the 1940s and 50s.  Agway – which formed as a result of a merger between GLF and Eastern States Farmers’ Exchange – took over ownership in 1964.

Jim Turner purchased the franchise in 1996, although his history with Agway goes back to 1972 when his brother encouraged him to take on a summer position with the franchise.   He ended up staying and worked his way up.  After working at eleven different stores and managing a number of franchise locations, Jim landed in Hemlock as the store’s new owner.  This is where he has happily spent the last twenty-two of his forty-five years with Agway.

Some things have changed since then.  The early Agway store was more of a farm business with grain handling, bulk feeds and crops.  As time passed, it gradually transitioned into a farm store with a wider range of products to meet home and garden needs, as well as feeds and supplies for farm professionals.  The Bournivals are excited about continuing to serve the community with the same great products and service that folks have grown accustomed to.

The Bournivals have been in the area since 1988.  Their opportunity to take on this new venture close to home came from a chance meeting between Jim and Ray at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Livonia.  When the idea of owning a store first came up a year and a half before the purchase, it was Sharon Bournival who had initially planned to run the store with daughter Lauren.   After Ray’s doctors told him that he could no longer continue with the level of activity necessitated by his contracting business, the couple’s planned roles reversed.  Sharon has remained at her full time position – as a captionist for hearing impaired students at Rochester Institute of Technology – and Ray works full time at the store.   He loves the change, and is greatly appreciative of Jim Turner for the opportunity to move in a new life direction.    

As Jim, Ray, Lauren and I talked, we were pleasantly interrupted several times

by customers and conversation – a hallmark of the store that I have always loved.  There is always something new to learn.  It seems like everyone knows everyone, and catching up on news is as important as stocking up on supplies.  Last Tuesday was no exception as people ventured in to pick up grain, birdseed, seasonal food offerings and their share of the surplus quince dropped off by John Cicero.

Much of what makes the store a special place will stay the same.  As Ray Bournival shared, “The place is not going to change, just some of the faces.”   Long time employee John Pettenger will continue on with the new Hemlock Agway owners.  Jim will still be in store many mornings as well, at least for a while; although he is finding enjoyable ways to spend his free time – including making apple pies. And then there is Hemi, the in store cat who continues to enjoy his place behind the front counter (another reason for Jim to stop in from time to time).

My drop in at the store followed a morning Election Day stop at the polling place.  I enjoyed just visiting with folks, seeing the new and friendly faces – and a few of the old ones. I will certainly miss seeing Jim Turner during the times he is not there, but it is evident that even in his absence the framework he has built for friendly and welcoming service with a smile – that customers and neighbors have come to expect – will remain.  With so many contested races and conflict everywhere, it is nice to see a friendly takeover for a change.