HALF OF THE 7,000 square feet space in the new 3 W Ranch Supply building in Teague is dedicated to retail space. The business opened recently on U.S. 84. A new business that opened in Teague last month, 3 W Ranch Supply, takes the concept of a feed store a few steps further, incorporating lawn and garden products, western wear, tack and an automotive service center to appeal to a broad customer base.

The business, located on the U.S. 84 loop, is owned by Brandon and Keitha Whitaker, and his parents, Wayne and Karen Whitaker.

Day-to-day operations are managed by Brandon Whitaker, 32, with assistance from sister Dayna Drake, and a full staff.

"The depth of what we offer is the best of anyone in our market," Whitaker says. "Our number one goal is to provide premier customer service."

A native of Freestone county, Whitaker graduated Teague high school in 1995 and earned a business degree at Texas A&M University in 1999.

He worked several years in the automotive service business, at new car dealerships in Dallas and Fairfield, where he reports learning a customer service philosophy.

3 W RANCH SUPPLY owner Brandon Whitaker, left, is assisted in the retail portion of the business by sister Dayna Drake and Clayton Turner, among a full staff of employees. "I've always wanted to have my own business," Whitaker says of the career change.

The 32-year-old left automotive service and took about a year putting together a business plan, lining up suppliers, building a facility and hiring employees. Official opening was Feb. 16, but the store was in business a little before that.

"As soon as we started stocking the store people started coming in," he notes.

The new building, featuring a wrap-around porch, is 7,000 square feet of which the front half is dedicated to retail sales. The back half of the facility serves as storage for feed and bulky items.

Retail space is divided into areas for lawn and garden supplies, tools, clothing, home decor and gifts, tack and general hardware goods.

With a goal of providing premier customer service, the store employs Dwayne Sommerville as its lawn and garden expert—-he operated a Christmas tree farm, nursery and landscaping service west of Teague for a number of years.

A complete automotive service facility is housed in a separate building and is managed by Steve Lackey, boasting 30 years in the business, with automotive technicians Bruce King and Mike Bragg.

Whitaker reports that the automotive center is set up with new equipment to service and repair cars and trucks, especially late model vehicles, and sells and balances tires, performs front end alignments and sells aftermarket truck accessories.

"I think we have two businesses here that are top of the line," the 32-year-old says.

The name takes its name from the family ranch, 3 W Ranch, founded between Donie and Buffalo in the 1950s by Whitaker's grandfather, the late Day Whitaker, as a registered Brahman operation, but has since switched to cross bred cattle.

"My father has been in the cattle business all his life. That interest has been there and it's a good market for what we are doing. But, we are way more than a feed store," the business owner says.

Whitaker and wife Keitha, who is a third grade teacher in Teague, are parents of a son, Ben.