Long-time Iowa City business, Brenneman Seed and Pet Center, to relocate

A well-worn sign with slightly sagging letters has stood in front of Brenneman Seed and Pet Center at 1600 S. First Ave. in Iowa City for the past 37 years. Beginning on Aug. 15, however, the business will be located a new, smaller home on the south side of Highway 6.

On Wednesday Goodwill Industries of the Heartland announced that the non-profit organization has agreed to purchase the Brenneman location, which has been the longtime next door neighbor to the Goodwill Reboot Computer Store.

"The Yoder family has been a great neighbor to Goodwill for many years and we wish them much success in this next phase of their family's business,” Jeff Nock, President & CEO of Goodwill of the Heartland said in a press release.

Store owner Gary Yoder, 56, of Riverside says that the discussion to sell the property to Goodwill of the Heartland first began four to five years ago when the company offered to buy the location if the family was ever interested in doing so.

“With the economy it's been hard to keep our heads above the water, ” Yoder said.  “Changes are with the railroad near by, too - it just seems like a good time for us to get out of here.”

In the Yoder family since the 1940s, the business, originally started by a man Tiny Brenneman on his Iowa County farm in 1906, has been passed down from father to son for three generations. Much of the store has remained the same throughout the years, but changes are coming, Yoder said.

Due to having a smaller location at the store's soon-to-be home at 521 Southgate Avenue , the business will no longer be able to carry gardening supplies or seeds. As a result, the business will now be called Brenneman Grooming and Pet Supply.

“In the 1970s and 1980s selling seed was a huge portion of our business, ” Yoder said. “But it's been more of a tradition than anything - when we move we are going to expand the grooming part of the business and hope to keep making a living.”

Although Yoder and his wife, Rita, 50, feel that the transition to the new location is bittersweet, the pair are excited to see what the future brings for their already successful grooming business located within the current store.

“I'm excited for a new place so that we can better cater to the customers that have been so good to us over the years,” Rita Yoder said. “Right now bookings for grooming are six weeks out - we're hoping to hire two more groomers and really grow.”

Additional information: The Brenneman business will remain open at the current First Avenue location for the next several weeks. All pet supplies are currently 50 percent off and pet foods are 15 percent off as the Yoder's prepare to move.  Rita Yoder is also currently actively seeking to hire two pet groomers for the new business. Individuals may call (319) 338-8501 with any questions.