Agriventures Agway, 'quintessential hometown business,' to be honored

 By Deborah Rose

Agriventures Agway will soon be recognized as an outstanding New Milford business by a New Milford organization.

The Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce will honor the New Milford Agway store as the recipient of its 2024 Distinguished Chamber Member of the Year Award at its 25th Annual Awards Gala in January.

Agway will join two others, Ivan Shiffman, and volunteer first responders, in receiving awards at the Jan. 25 black-tie optional dinner-dance at the Amber Room in Danbury.

New Milford Agway, as it is commonly called, has evolved since partners Brian Leonard, Dave O’Leary and Andy Straiton purchased the business nearly 25 years ago. 

Prior to that, Agway had been in town for decades before the company’s stores were sold to independent owners, like Leonard, O’Leary and Straiton.

“Twenty-five years ago, we were more of a farm-based store,” Leonard said, who has more than 30 years with the company. “Today we’re a niche in all different facets.”

Customers can shop for products for pets, farm/backyard, wildlife, lawn and garden, landscaping and wild birds year-round. Wood pellets for stoves, as well as propane are sold there. 

In addition, deliveries are made daily to horse, chicken and cattle farms. 

The Agway stores – in both New Milford and Danbury – service the local area as well as deliver to Litchfield and Fairfield counties, and Westchester and Putnam counties in New York.

Here's what the customers have to say

Resident June Robideau has been a customer since she moved to town 20 years ago or so. The avid birder and gardener, who showcases her photography of plants and birds on her June’s Backyard social media channels, is a faithful patron of Agway for her gardening and birding needs.

“Agway has a been a huge inspiration and gamechanger…and a huge supporter of what I do,” Robideau said.

“I love the small hometown feel and the service I get,” the satisfied customer related. “I know Beth, Sam and Troy (and Brian), and they’re so good at what they do. If I have a question, I know I’m going to get a knowledgeable answer.”

“They’re with me on my journey and they help me,” she said, referring to how to staff advises her on types of feed for the wildlife in her yard.

Robideau added, “Agway is one of the only businesses I leave my house for,” she said. “I spend most of my time in the yard.”

John Henkel, of Wilhendorf Kennels in New Milford, described himself as a “regular” customer there. 

“To me, it’s a quintessential hometown business,” Henkel said. “It’s big enough to have everything you need, but small enough that they know everyone’s name and care about each customer and what their needs are.”

'Customer service means the most to us'

Leonard emphasized that Agway is rooted in competitive pricing, expert product knowledge and, as Robideau said, excellent customer service.

“Our biggest goal is customer service” and providing staff with training about products and what they do. But, he said, “the customer service that means the most to us.”

“A store can truly only be as good as its leadership – and Brian provides the best,” said employee Jenna Sadecki. “An exemplary mentor – far beyond the traditional role of a store owner – Brian inspires his employees to work hard and be the very best they can be every day. Not only for the store – but for themselves.”

Leonard attributes his leadership to his longtime “coach mentality,” stemming from his youth when he served as captain of sports teams, and his desire in college to be a coach. “That’s the way I work in my business.”

For years. Leonard has coached many sports – more on that later – and when his former players and former employees stop in the store now when they’re older, they “still call me coach.”

Leonard began his career as a teen, like many of his employees have and do, at the Bethel Agway. 

After college, he returned to town and inquired with his former boss, O’Leary, about a job at the store.

O’Leary hired him and, over the years, Leonard worked his way up through the ranks and became a partner in the business when Agway stores became independently owned nearly 25 years ago.

Resident Dan Olson, who has been a customer for many years, said he was elated when he heard Leonard and the store were being recognized.

“I just always loved the local aspect of buying from a guy like Brian Leonard because you knew he’s sincere about everything he tells you.”

Agway is woven into the fabric of the community

Under the leadership of Leonard, the New Milford store is a star when it comes to being an integral part of the community, not only as a business but as a supporter of organizations and in town and surrounding towns.

“We want to be involved in the community,” said Leonard, relating that it is equally important for the business to have a presence in the community from a business standpoint as well as to support organizations that are doing great things.

“Every organization needs a little bit of help,” he said, noting New Milford Agway does all it can to fulfill requests, whether it’s donating a bird feeder as a silent auction item or buying a banner for a ball field. 

“You know your money is going back to (the organization),” he said.

As a business, Agway participates in community events such as Riverfest, the Apple Fest and other big events in town, where they will offer free activities like pumpkin decorating, birdhouse builds and more for individuals and families.

Their attendance at local events also raises awareness about the business itself.

“If you didn’t work here, your parents didn’t bring you here when you were young, you don’t know what Agway is,” he explained. 

In addition, because the store is not on a main road – it is located at 126 Housatonic Ave., at its intersection with Boardman and Aspetuck Ridge roads – some many may not know if its existence, he said. 

In the community, Leonard serves as a member of the New Milford Wrestling Association and the Pop Warner Board of Directors, coaches several New Milford youth baseball teams, and is part of the Agriventures Agway softball team.

Olson met Leonard when their children were each in youth sports. He described him as “nothing but supportive of local youth sports.” 

Agriventures Agway, located at 126 Housatonic Ave. in New Milford, is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 860-354-5673 or visit https://agwayct.com.

Deborah Rose/Agriventures Agway's New Milford store, led by partner Brian Leonard, right, is shown above with part of his team, from left to right, cashier Julia Prescott, nursery manager Larissa Walsh, assistant manager Olivia Dages, warehouse manager Eric Comstock, and cashier Beth Conkey.

Deborah Rose/Brian Leonard, one of three partners who own the New Milford store, helps a customer tie down a Christmas tree atop his vehicle in December 2024.

Deborah Rose/Customers pack their vehicles will an assortment of supplies they purchase.

Deborah Rose/Agway's New Milford store is known for creative messages on its sign.

Courtesy of Agriventures Agway New Milford/A customer shops for flowers for his garden.

Courtesy of Agriventures Agway New Milford/Home and garden products are available year-round at the Housatonic Avenue store.

Courtesy of Agriventures Agway New Milford/The New Milford store participates via a booth at many community events.