Agri Feed Pet Supply Named 2026 PETS+ "America's Coolest
Knoxville, TN — Agri Feed Pet Supply has been named to PETS+ magazine's 2026 "America's Coolest" list, joining an exemplary group of U.S. independent pet retailers and service providers. The magazine welcomed nine new pet businesses this year, chosen by a panel of distinguished industry judges in the contest's tenth annual year.
Twenty-five businesses made it to the semi-final round before this year's panel — Georganne Bender of Kizer & Bender Speaking!, Krysta Fox of Pug & Hound Pet Apothecary, Jennifer Larsen of Firehouse Pet Shop, Claudia Loomis of CB Pet Market and IndiePet, and Jolanta Smulski of Pet Pro Media — selected the nine winners.
"With our annual America's Coolest contest, we celebrate some of the best independent pet businesses in the country," said PETS+ Editor-in-Chief Pamela Mitchell. "We always say, there are many different ways to be 'cool,' and this year's nine winners once again prove that point."
What the Judges Said
Krysta Fox highlighted the breadth of the operation itself, calling out the range from equine tack to raw pet food as an impressively vast selection for a business of this size — while noting that, despite its warehouse scale, the store's design feels warmer than expected.
Claudia Loomis focused on the multi-generational story, framing the business's fifty years as a demonstration of its ability to adapt as community needs shifted, from serving family farmers at the start to today's blend of pet supply, equestrian, and continued farm support.
Three Generations, Fifty Years
Agri Feed Pet Supply was founded in 1976 by Mel Sturm. After his son Bradley Sturm's passing in 1999, Bradley's wife Melissa Sturm carried the business forward, building the community relationships and staff culture the store is known for today. Her son Britt Sturm, Vice President and now third-generation owner, returned to the business in 2016, building out e-commerce, local delivery, the Spaw self-service dog wash, a community dog park, and the raw and fresh food program that judges called out this year.
Agri Feed Pet Supply will be featured in an upcoming issue of PETS+ as part of the America's Coolest 2026 recognition.
About PETS+ & America's Coolest
PETS+ is a leading trade publication in the pet industry, focused on retailer and service provider success stories, practical business solutions, and product showcases. The magazine's annual America's Coolest contest, now in its tenth year, celebrates the best in independent pet business. Sponsor SUPERZOO, North America's largest annual pet retail trade show, provides winners with a prize package including hotel accommodations during the show, VIP buyer benefits, and education passes.