This difference is important to me. This place--this building, this counter, these docks, these flower beds, and those barns —they have been my lifeblood for the past 45 years. I have spent most of my life now in this place we call, “the store.” As anyone who has built a business from the ground up can relate, this place I have loved and nurtured has defined who I am, both to myself and in the community. It is bittersweet to announce that it’s time for Mike and I to retire. However, as our son-in-law pointed out, there’s a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. It’s time for us to embrace the next chapter in our lives!
O’Malley’s has been much more than a “feed store.” We have watched children in the arms of their parents grow to be responsible teenagers and young adults. We have been blessed to be a part of their special events and marvel at their accomplishments. We have witnessed the proud moments of their sporting events, 4-H accomplishments, graduations, weddings, the birth of their children, and have now been a part of the next two generations completing this cycle. It has brought us immeasurable joy. We will miss the social interactions, the opportunities to serve the community, and all the homemade treats you wonderful cooks have generously shared with us over the years!
As we reflect on all the big events-- Checkerboard Days, St Patrick’s Day, Anniversary celebrations, horse meetings and equine clinics, baby chicks, Flocktober, Ladies Days, 4-H functions and guest appearances from Ann and Thunder of the Denver Broncos, all these will never be forgotten. However, the moments that we will miss the most are the “mundane” moments of daily life—conversations over coffee at the counter trying to solve our world’s problems, bad jokes told with good intentions, and just hearing about the lives of our patrons. We have held keys, held hands and given hugs. We have loaded trunks, truck beds, trailers, and dinner plates. We have cared about people on their worst days and congratulated them on their best days. We have held new babies and buried dear friends. In short, O’Malley’s has given us the opportunity to create incredible memories centered around people--people we care deeply about. It’s our customers who became friends sharing their stories, their dreams and often, their heartaches.
Some of our best memories are of our team—we have witnessed first hand the power a job has to change a young, unsure person into a confident, capable individual. We have “O’Malley Alumni” who are doctors, medical professionals, lawyers, executives, police officers, tradesmen, business owners, and more, all giving back to their community. We have been blessed with many great workers who have become more like family than employees. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who punched the clock at O’Malleys. We couldn’t have done it without you.
This journey would not have been the same without our girls, Kaitlyn, Erin and Mary. They have worked alongside us since they were able, and without them we would not have made it to 45 years in business. We’d like to especially thank Mary for being a dedicated and valuable part of our puzzle. She has stood by us through thick and thin, through the hard times and the good times. Without her we would not have survived. Getting to work with your children is a rare gift, but rarer still is getting to work with your grandchildren! Our grandkids have grown up in the store--learning to walk in the aisles and maturing into valuable employees. Lucky for us, we will now have more time to spend with them—going to all their events. (Please save us a seat, and a bag of popcorn at the next ball game!)
This certainly has not been an easy or hasty decision. While this new chapter is a bit scary—what in the world will we do when we don’t have to open that gate at 9 am?!—it also holds the promise of some much-deserved freedom.
From the bottom of our hearts, Mike and I want to thank you for allowing us to serve you, your families and your animals. We hope your memories of O’Malley’s will be vivid, wonderful, and as special to you as they are to us. If so, then every moment has been worth it.
December 21, 2024, will be our last day of business. Thank you for 45+ wonderful years. This is not goodbye—this is still our home and our community. “We’ll see you soon!”
God Bless each and every one of you!!
Gratefully and sincerely,
Kath and Mike O’Malley
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