Central Iowa Farm Store (CIFS) has provided its clients ranging from farmers, contractors and homeowners with equipment, service and parts for the last 75 years and will take the time on Saturday to thank the community during a Customer Appreciation Fun Day.

The store, located at 203 Iowa Ave W. in Marshalltown, began as a single building built in 1958 and today consists of a 25 acre campus dotted with six buildings for parts and service to cater to their needs of their loyal clientele in the Marshalltown area and beyond.

Owner Bill Casady, a native of Bethany, Mo., started his career as a sales representative for Allis Chalmers farm equipment brand from 1966-72. Along with colleague Lyle Jons, they bought the store in 1972 from the Maytag family noting how the store has been family-owned since its inception.

“I hoped to make it a lifetime career. We started with two owners and three employees. At the time we had three product lines and 18 today,” Bill Casady said.

CIFS sells everything from tractors, combines, planters to lawn mowers. Unlike some stores, CIFS will service and repair the equipment either in store or will come out to the customer’s home or farm in what they term “after sales service support”.

Casady’s sons Todd and Ryan followed in his footsteps and purchased Bishop Implement in Webster City in 1994 renaming the store Casady Bros. Implement. After Jons died in 2001, Todd and his family moved to Marshalltown to help his father manage CIFS and is now co-owner/manager.

“All decisions are made on site and we give customers face-to-face service,” Todd Casady said.

Operations Manager Todd Schnathorst said the store’s success is rooted in customer loyalty with agricultural farming being the backbone of the business.

“We’re seeing multi-generations such as grandfathers, fathers and sons coming back to us for their business needs and new customers, too,” he said.

The public is invited to attend the Customer Appreciation Fun Day on Saturday from 2-9:30 p.m. at 203 Iowa Ave. West. The latest equipment models will be on display, social time and a dinner grilled by the Marshall County Beef Producers. Live entertainment from the band Minor Night will close the evening. Several door prizes will be handed out. To learn more, contact the store at 641-753-3996 or visit www.centraliowafarmstore.com.

The Central Iowa Farm Store is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to noon and expanded hours for the spring planting and fall harvest seasons.

“We’ve been very fortunate with gradual growth through the years thanks to customer loyalty and new business. With fewer farmers these days we value each and every one,” Bill Casady said.