OCEAN PARK — It all started with an after-hours drive in search of chicken feed.

Today, Peninsula Farm Store owner Melissa San Filippo is hopeful to save animal and pet owners some time and travel with the grand opening of her business, the Peninsula Farm Store, which opened along Bay Avenue in Ocean Park in late July.

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Peninsula Farm Store

Melissa San Filippo, owner

Hours: 10 AM- 5 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

1904 Bay Ave., Ocean Park

360-244-9946

thefarmstoreop.com

“We have feed, farm and garden supplies and pet supplies. We try to get locally made items from small businesses,” said San Filippo, who officially opened the business on July 29. The location of the store, at 1904 Bay Ave. in Ocean Park, was formerly occupied by 360 Floral Gifts & More, which relocated to Ilwaco in June.

Handcrafted, locally made

The store shelves are stocked with a variety of animal and livestock feeds, treats and toys, garden tools, including several locally made items hand-selected by Filippo.

“Some of it is stuff you can’t get anywhere else, like this brand of dog food,” said San Filippo while holding a bag of Gentle Giants. “I had to special order this online. It’s something that I’ve had my dogs on for years. It’s one of the first things I brought in.”

San Filippo embraces natural and organic feeds, and includes a glass display of different livestock feeds and their contents.

“People like to see what’s inside,” she said.

Also available are unique pet supplies and toys, including leashes made from recycled bike tire tubes and collars constructed from recycled water bottles.

“I like stuff that’s cool and locally made,” said San Filippo, who personally endorses several items, including small-batch candles from Portland, handmade coffee mugs from Seaside and the ‘Grandpa’s Weeder,’ a garden tool made in Lake Oswego.

“I have two of these,” she said regarding the Grandpa’s Weeder. “They’re so much fun to pull weeds with, they make it easy.”

Offering convenience

San Filippo, who works as a night nurse at a local hospital, was first inspired to open the store to offer healthy animal and pet products with convenience.

“We used to live in Rosburg [in western Wahkiakum County]. I would get home from working a night shift and come in the door and my kids would be like, ‘Mom we’re out of chicken feed,’ and so I would have to drive all the way back to Astoria to get animal feed,” she said. “We wanted to provide something that was closer and more accessible; that’s how it started. The inspiration was to make it easier and available when people needed something. People are surprised and glad we’re here.”