5 minute read
GENERATIONS OF KNOW-HOW
Historical photos courtesy Zamzows
ZAMZOWS: NOT YOUR TYPICAL FEED STORE
Words By April Neale
Only a handful of businesses in Idaho have a global reach, and Zamzows has proven to be one of them.
According to Callie Zamzow, Zamzows was born in 1933, a year that marked the peak of the Great Depression. Despite the challenging economic climate, they opened a humble feed store on Fairview in Boise which later transformed into Zamzows as many know it today, with 12 stores and a manufacturing company, Dynamite, which began in 1982.
Dynamite's product line of feed is built on eighty years of experience in holistic nutritional science and market nutraceuticals for all animal species. These products, developed by Callie's father, Jim Zamzow, a lifelong soil science, mycology, medicine, and biology student, can address specific nutritional needs.
Jim recognized a void in the marketplace and was inspired to invent and improve quality animal supplement and lawn care products. Callie said, "Many new people have moved to the Treasure Valley. The soil here is different… and they are trying to figure out why their roses aren't looking like they did in say, Portland. How do you address the soil? We have that information."
Jim’s vision, which still holds today, is to improve the lives of all living creatures. The scope of his efforts in feed and supplements has grown from horses and dogs to beloved pets and competition animals, and even animals in the wild and microbes in the soil. Jim has no plans to retire from his role as caretaker of the earth, according to Callie. "He and I always laugh. Zamzows never retire. We keep busy. He's constantly advising; my dad's favorite thing, and what he always wanted to do when he was running the businesses but couldn't, was inventing products. That's his passion; he's a mad scientist with his own laboratory. He'll run a full-blown experiment once he thinks he's got something. But he's testing things all the time."
Idaho residents are passionate about their pets and gardening, two rewarding pastimes that feed the soul and improve mental health. This fact inspires the Zamzow clan to keep moving forward. Callie's successful podcast, The Zamzows Show, shares valuable insights on animal nutrition and gardening, and Jim's continued research leads to the development of innovative products. The combined family efforts have contributed to Zamzows' status as a local legend with worldwide patronage. Jim Zamzow noted, "I've been trying to solve this problem with the yellow Maples. If we acidify the soil, well, what naturally happens in the forest? I bought some tannic acid, and I'm researching it."
Their company's rich history began in Minnesota and moved Westward; in 1933, brothers August and Carl Zamzow stowed away and got off in Meridian, had a bite, and then, as luck would have it, August caught the eye of Carmalita House—later known as Grandma Z—forged through the lean years, lost a child while building a family, and persevered with a feed store on Fairview in Boise that they named "Zamzows."
Callie recalled her Great-grandmother’s stoicism and work ethic. “They first opened Zamzows in arguably the hardest year of the depression and called it a feed mill. This first location was the Fairview store where they mixed feeds and got recipes from the University of Idaho. They took those formulas and bought the grains locally, and then they would make the ratios, mix them by hand on the floor, bag them by hand, sew the bags up, and sell them. So that's how the whole business started. Straight up, just feeding animals.”
The drive for innovation continued with Jim, who penned a book, That Reminds Me Of A Story, with Art Gregory. Jim recalls memorable moments in the company's growth, jaw-dropping anecdotes, and tried-and-true wisdom, including a story of a formidable law enforcement officer with a penchant for shoplifting. Jim and his brother Rick grew the business from feed to lawn, garden, and pet supplies, which were hard to come by in retail settings at that time. His tried and true advice for trimming trees: “when you have the time.”
Now, his daughter Callie, who initially detoured into finance and veterinary school, along with her brother, Jos, have evolved into Zamzows co-CEOs. At the same time, Jim continues to think big for the community by creating helpful product lines and inventing items that keep animals and lawns at their healthiest. Even mom has a hand in the business, by conducting family meetings once a month to ensure the company steers toward their ancestors’ original vision of “True North.” This is good news for customers as the entire family continues to push the boundaries of experimenting without wavering from the Zamzow’s commitment to offer the healthiest products in their industry.
