Sparr Building and Farm Supply

Specialties

The magic began in 1947 on three acres, ten miles north of Ocala, Florida. Not all the roads were paved and the only other building nearby was a small church located just across the street. The surrounding agricultural community was growing and a need for building materials, farm supplies & livestock feeds emerged.

Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Griggs opened Sparr Building & Farm Supply with a vision to provide a quality product and willingness to treat each customer like family. The original store had gas pumps and groceries along with general hardware and lumber merchandise. Long-​time customers still talk about materials being unloaded by hand from railcars and carried to the store and lumberyard. In 1981, the Howard family purchased the business from their aunt and uncle, the Griggs.

As the community grew from dominantly agricultural to semi-​rural residential area, the customer base steadily increased. However, the family-​oriented environment continued to be an important component to operating the store. Customers found it uplifting to walk in the store and be welcomed by their name from a sales clerk. Continued success allowed Sparr Building and Farm Supply to expand and build a larger store in 1990. It is located directly across from the original building.

Over the years, Sparr Building & Farm Supply has maintained a positive reputation throughout the area…