There’s a new feed store in Superior called RZ Feeds. Local owners Pete Ratzlaff and Doug Hutchins opened the doors a few weeks ago and offer a variety of bird and animal feed.

“If it’s got four legs, we can feed it,” said Hutchins.

This includes cows, horses, goats, lambs, pigs, dogs, cats and two-legged birds like chickens, ducks and geese. Their dealer is CHS feed, a company that supports local businesses and has several distributors in Montana.

“We have chicken pellets and chicken crumbles for layer plus chicken scratch,” Ratzlaff said. The shelves are stacked high with bags of feed in the large warehouse style room with cement floors. A cat and some kittens wandering around are part of the new store’s charm.

“That’s our current and future mousers,” Ratzlaff said with a smile. “We also hope to add more products like hay, salt licks and chicks. We will also take orders and will make deliveries.”

The large yellow aluminum building is located at 2727 Diamond Road, down the road from where the old Diamond Match mill used to be. Over the past 30 years the building has housed several businesses including a pizza joint and a general store. However, it’s been vacant for years before Ratzlaff and Hutchins decided to dust off the cobwebs and give the old building new life. The duo began their venture the first part of February.

Ratzlaff’s folks have lived in the area for around 40 years and his brothers went to school in Superior. Hutchins has had several businesses in the area, including the Montana Bar for 38 years, as well as Four Aces.

“I’ve been in sales all my life,” said Hutchins, who also had a steak house in Portland, plus an auto dealership. “I was at the bar for 38 years and I figured enough is enough and I went home and sat around for six months. That drove me crazy and then Pete said he was going to do this and asked me to go work for him. It got me out of the house and I can make some money.”

Ratzlaff worked in Alaska and in the oil fields prior to starting RZ Feeds. He decided to try this business venture out to see if he could stay home for a change of pace. Both also bring years of management experience to the job.

There isn’t another feed store in Superior, with the closest ones in Alberton and Plains. Though Castle’s in Superior does sell some feed, it’s not extensively stocked.

“They (Castle’s) seems to have a limited supply, and that’s one of the reasons I decided to open the store,” said Ratzlaff. “You either have to drive to Plains or Alberton.”

Hutchins said the old Castle’s location did sell more feed, but once they moved to their new location they cut down on their inventory. Ratzlaff said Cenex also sells some feed such chicken scratch, but not extensively.

There aren’t big ranches or farms in the area, so the store will primarily cater to smaller sales. CHS has programs for 4-H members that includes discounts and promotional deals where the kids can get rewards like monogrammed jackets.

“CHS is good at supporting local businesses and communities,” said Hutchins.

They hope to have a barbecue event soon and will invite 4-H and other community members.

Ratzlaff said their prices are competitive with other stores and “hopes to make it worth your while to stop in; that’s what it’s about.”

The two said they may also diversify some of their business dealings since they have an extra lot and building space, “possibly selling some used cars, or maybe a detail shop.” Ratzlaff said.

The store hours are Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.