Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Youngs of Ridgefield!
Three questions with Chris Couri, owner of Youngs of Ridgefield.
Why did you start your business?
Youngs was started by Joe Young in 1948, as a farm supply and feed store. Our family purchased it in 1979. We added a service line of John Deere mowers and tractors and quickly grew into power and service division. We added Rental equipment and pet food departments in the late eighties and moved to 91 Danbury Rd. In 2005, John Deere decided they did not want small local business selling their tractors, so we parted ways and at that point, we decided to exit the “Retail” category as many of our brands were now being sold in Costco and grocery stores. We could not be competitive with pricing.
We had a small residential landscaping business and as a result, we had some requests for more services.
One such request was the installation of deer fencing for our customers who wanted to keep deer out of their yards because of the damage they were causing by eating their shrubs and plants. This business began to grow and Dan Rella my partner, expanded it into all types of fencing, privacy, decorative, pool and masonry for both residential and commercial clients throughout Fairfield and Westchester counties. Today, fencing accounts for almost 50% of our revenue. We simultaneously expanded our residential landscaping division to include year-round commercial landscaping and property maintenance. This is the other half of our revenue and we are fortunate to serve many local Ridgefield businesses and landlords, as well as a handful of residential customers and estates.
Best selling product or service?
We don’t have a best selling product, fencing is a very individual choice. Each project is unique and the reasons for fencing vary. A common theme is to have decorative fencing in the front of your property and then to install deer and critter fencing Along the sides and back of the property. For many, keeping kids and pets in is a priority naturally, as well as keeping critters out. We recently set up a fencing showroom at 99 Danbury Rd where you can make an appointment to see various samples and to review some of the hundreds of testimonials we have received over the years. You can also find this at www.GoToYoungs.com.
Do you use any local businesses to support your business? Can you name them?
We are very fortunate to be able to work with so many amazing people and organizations, such as the Ridgefield Visting Nurse Association, the Ridgefield Library, Bissell Pharmacy and WHIP Salon and many more!
Young's of Ridgefield is located at 99 Danbury Road. Visit them online here.
We tag Rob Liesegang, of Liesegang Building and Remodeling LLC.
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