When Poole's Store announced it would close its doors at the end of the year, many saddened residents paid last visits and shared nostalgic memories in online comments. But area horse riders, who have depended on the store for decades as the only local source of feed, were not ready to say goodbye. So they organized a petition, asking Montgomery County to keep the feed store portion open at that location.

Now, it seems, the riders will get their wish.

A local feed and farm supply distributor has agreed to lease the separate feed store, located across from Poole's Store, and ensure the service is not interrupted for the many riders who depend on the stock of feed each week.

Calvin Day, owner of Farm and Home Service Inc., said he plans to sell feed and hopefully expand to other supplies in the spring.

"We're going to be kind of limited at first," said Day, whose family has been in the feed business for more than 75 years. "We need to see what kind of demand there is to determine our hours. People will be able to place orders with us, or customers can call us and we'll have the supplies there."

Marilyn Poole said she and her sister, Joann, plan to work for Day at the feed store three days a week.

The Montgomery County Department of Parks has not made a final decision on what to do with the main store. But Kelli Holsendolph, media relations manager for the Department of Parks, said they are working to ensure the feed service is not interrupted.

"We are working on finalizing an agreement, so there won't be an interruption in the provision of the feed store," Holsendolph said.

In the past few weeks, area riders have signed petitions available at the Surrey, Callithea Farm Horse Boarding and Potomac Horse Center, asking the county to maintain the feed store.

Lyne Morgan, owner of the Surrey and an avid rider, said many depend on the location as a source for local feed.

“If we don’t have a feed store there, the nearest place to get feed and equipment is either Jefferson, Md., or Mt. Airy. I think it’s important to have something local especially in the Agricultural Reserve,” Morgan said.

The Agricultural Reserve, which spans 90,000 acres across Poolesville, Darnestown and other areas upcounty, is an area where development is severely restricted.

Morgan said that Poole's Store served not just as a viable resource to the agricultural community but also as a social meeting place.

“You would walk in and see lots of other riders, and they always had all of the news. If somebody lost a horse, that was the first place you would call. It really was Grand Central for the local horse and farm community,” Morgan said.

Rider Laura Beck, who boards her horse and works at Callithea, was in charge of the petitions. She said she hoped the petitions would show the Montgomery County Department of Parks how many residents want to keep the location a feed store.  

Rex Reed, president of Potomac Bridal and Hiking Trails Association, sent numerous letters to community businesses alerting them to the current issue arising as a result of the Poole's Store closing.

“We have been customers since the 60s. We buy all of our corn and our bedding there. It’s an important place for people to meet and post information in the area,” Reed said.

Montgomery County has owned the property since the late 1970s and now plans to renovate.

Day said he hopes to lease the rest of the property after the renovation, depending on the rent price.

The Department of Parks is seeking community input on plans for the main Poole's Store building, Holsendolph said

"We want to be able to talk about the history of the property, share with the public an asssesment of property and solicit feedback on what's next and what's possible," Holsendolph said.

Reed said the Poole's Store location is an ideal spot for not only horse riders to gather but bike riders as well. Though, he said, he thinks a bike shop alone would not be as useful to the community.

“There is certainly room for that type of activity on that property, and I’d like to see it all there,” Reed said. “I think a business model with a restaurant or café, your grain and farm needs, as well as a place that can be of service to bike riders would be beneficial."

Holsendolph said the parks department is planning to hold a community meeting to discuss the property around the end of the month.

“As soon as we get the details on the time and location of the community meeting, we will be sending something out as broadly as we can to let everybody know," she said.