Our History

history

Checkerboard Grain Store

Deane Clark and Joe Cady owned Checkerboard Grain Store.

1945

Known as the East Longmeadow Checkerboard Grain Store

The East Longmeadow Checkerboard Grain Store becomes a Ralston Purina Company corporate store.

1950s

A.W. Brown's Begins

Alson Wesler Brown purchased the East Longmeadow Grain Store.

1970

history

The Wheeler Family Purchases A.W. Brown

Tom Wheeler bought A.W. Brown from Alson Brown and his family in 1985. The A.W. Brown Company was a small retail business located in East Longmeadow, MA selling feed, pet, garden, and lawn products. During the first 10 years of Tom's ownership, the company grew quickly by bringing in new products and helped them expand their customer base.

1985

history

Moved to Current Location

By 1995, it was clear that A.W. Brown's had grown too large for its 5,000 square foot building on just a 1/4 of an acre of land with 15 parking places. In order to continue growing, it needed to move to a larger location. In 1996, A.W. Brown's officially moved to the current location, 144 Shaker Road in East Longmeadow. This location boasts more than 25,000 square feet of space, and has 4 acres of land and 80 parking places.
This was previously the site of US Express Bus Facility.

1995

Wet Pets Acquired

A.W. Brown's acquires Wet Pets on Shaker Road.

Early 1990s

history

Founding Member of Living Local 413

A Western Massachusetts grassroots movement that promotes the economic benefits of Eating, Shopping, and Hiring Locally! Communities are eco-systems, strengthened by activity. When consumers spend money at locally owned businesses and get involved in our communities, everyone wins. Through our outreach campaigns and website, Living Local highlights the community-benefits of supporting locally owned businesses.

2013

history

45th Anniversary of A.W. Brown's

The year 2015 will mark the 45th anniversary of A.W. Brown's. We are extremely thankful for all of the support from loyal customers, staff, and community who have helped grow and build a thriving small business. No one local business can do it on its own. We need the support of everybody.

2015

Deemed An Essential Local Business

Deemed an essential local business by the State of Massachusetts to remain open during the Covid Pandemic to help our local customers with their pet, animal, farm, wild bird, lawn, garden, and seasonal needs. A.W. Brown’s was also fortunate to win the Reader Raves Award for the 2020 Best Local Pet Store! A “BIG THANK YOU”  to all our loyal customers who voted for us and our dedicated AW Brown staff who make our store a great place to shop and work!

2020

history

Voted Best Local Pet Store

A triple “BIG THANK YOU”  to all our loyal customers who voted for us three years in a row for Best Local Pet Store!

2021 - 2022