Slama's Lawn & Sport springs ahead with new store

After what seems to have been a never-ending and bitterly cold winter, spring is a welcome season. Farmers are active preparing fields for the growing season, and folks around the Driftless area are starting spring cleaning around their properties.

Don Slama and his three businesses, his flagship Hillsboro Equipment, Mauston Equipment, and Slama Lawn & Sport in Reedsburg have been around for years, helping both farmers and homeowners.

Recently Slama upgraded his original Reedsburg store that had been in operation for twenty-two years, building a new store just down the street from the original location. The new store located at 2610 East Main Street, provides a generous show room and a selection of tractors and UTV’s out front.

No worries though, the new store has a great line up of products. Tiffany, the store’s newest employee said, “We have tractors, mowers, and a full line of Stihl products to choose from”. Of course, there are plenty of official John Deere toys and wear, even down to baby bibs and shirts and hats.

The store’s manager Keith Jones, said they held a soft opening this past December and the store has been open since, acknowledging the open house held on April 9th and 10th was more of a formal opening.

As with many of Slama’s employees, Keith has been working with him for many years. “I’ve known Don since 1978. When I moved to Hillsboro, I rented a house from him until I built my house.” Jones served on the Hillsboro Fire Department when Slama was the fire Chief, and as a logger had bought equipment from Slama’s father before Don bought his father’s business. In 1999, Jones found himself working for Slama, remodeling a steel building leased from Wisconsin Metals that would house Slama’s Lawn & Sport.

But times change and an upgrade was in order. An upgrade that would find Slama purchasing land and building a new store. Enthusiastic about the new store, Jones shared the new store is much larger and has many windows which was a big change from the old store that only had windows in the end doors. The new store design allows much more natural light and an open atmosphere that he thinks is more inviting to customers.

According to Jones, business was busy before the move, and business continues to be good and feels the new store will improve a customer’s overall experience. Jones stressed that customer service is everything. “John Deere demands it. If you have a John Deere store you got to look good, you got to act good. With everything we sell, we send out a little yellow card and ask how you're feeling about your experience and what your expectation was. If it doesn't say very satisfied, you failed, not just satisfied but very satisfied. That is a high bar to meet, but a good one.”

Jones said he really enjoys his job and looks forward work every morning work adding, “you need to be dedicated, have your heart in it and enjoy what you do in your work”.

Customers both long time and new, will enjoy the same quality products and outstanding customer service that is synonymous with the Slama name.

Access all three of Slama’s stores by visiting Hillsboro Equipment’s website or their Facebook Page.