Equine store specializes in friendly, helpful service
Clermont
Equine store specializes in friendly, helpful service
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
When customers walk through the door of Brown's Family Horse Supplies in Clermont, owner Rayne Brown wants them to not only find just what they are looking for but to feel welcome and comfortable in the process.
That is why the store motto, "From Our Family to Yours," results in friendly and helpful service from mother and her daughters Julie, 17 or Nina, 16.
Even Tiki the store cat -- a stray who was rescued and taken in by the Brown family about two months ago -- makes sure she welcomes each and every customer with a soft purr and gentle touch of her tail as she visits with them while they shop.
"We have some of the best customers and a lot of them, we know from the horse world outside the store, so we think of them more like friends than anything," Brown said. "So if it's your first time, or if you are a returning customer, we treat everybody with personal attention.We like to think that's where we strive in our customer service."
"Some of our customers even come in just to check on Tiki."
At Brown's Family Horse Supplies, customers will have to look no further since it is the "one stop shop to all things equine," Brown said, adding that the prices in the store are highly competitive.
So, from saddles, reins, boots, socks and helmets to collectibles, books, gifts and English- and Western-style riding clothes for women, girls, men and boys, if it's equine related, it can probably be found at Brown's.
If not, Brown said she'll get it.
"If there is specific item a customer is looking for and we don't have it, we're more than willing to order the item at no extra charge," she said.
Not only that, but if customers would rather shop from home, the store's website is the perfect place. The same customer service found in the store is evident online as pictures of the family greet online shoppers and there's easy to follow prompts for ordering and no cost "site to store" shipping.
Brown also uses Facebook to keep everyone updated on any special promotion or events she is holding at the store.
In addition, Brown said she allows customers to sell their gently used horse items on consignment, something not often found in similar stores.
"Our consignment section is becoming very popular," Brown said.
Brown's Family Horse Supplies was opened just over one year ago, after Brown decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the corporate world, having worked 15 years for Disney.
Since daughter Julie has a horse -- "Remarkable" -- a horse supply store seemed like "a natural progression."
Julie (Brown) has even come up with 'words to live by' at the store.
"Horses are our lives, show them that they're yours," Julie said one day.
Patricia Diak, a Clermont winter resident here from Ottawo, Ontario, Canada said for her, Brown's Family Horse Supplies has been nothing but a good experience.
"We came in here to find a gift for one of our friends who is a very horsey person and were happy to find they (Browns) had such a good selection, not to mention nice people, good service and friendly atmosphere," Diak said "Plus, we like the cat."
To celebrate one year in the community, Brown is holding a special event at the store from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which includes door prizes every half-hour, an equine garage sale and 10-15% sales throughout.
In addition, a fashion show, scheduled for 12 noon, will show off the latest trends in riding clothes and at 3 p.m., a seminar/question and answer session, featuring horse expert Kathleen Young of Lake County, will he held for new horse buyers.
"We are so happy to be here," Brown said.
Friday, April 27, 2012 - www.dailycommercial.com/042712equ