SAN ANGELO, Texas — With hundreds of contestants parking horse trailers at the San Angelo Fairgrounds throughout the week leading up to the rodeo's first performance, local feed stores have seen business pick up.
Palmer Feed & Supply is one of the rodeo's sponsors. Staff there said the store's location on North Chadbourne Street gives it a unique advantage in attracting customers.
Store manager Jessie Cathey said she has seen heavy foot traffic at the store since Monday, when rodeo slack began.
"We have stock contractors coming through buying feed, hay, tubs, mineral blocks (and) whatever it might be while they’re here for their stay," she said. "Same thing for competitors."
Grogan Ranch & Farm's John Duke Hudson said he has had rodeo contestants visit his store throughout the week as well. With tie-down and team ropers competing in slack Tuesday and Wednesday, Hudson noted that the store had sold rope, along with other key items for contestants.
"We've got ropes, we've got supplements for the horses, we've got pretty much anything they'd need on the road," Hudson said.
Hudson said the business would have a booth set up outside Foster Communications Coliseum during the rodeo. The San Angelo Rodeo's first performance is Friday at 7:30 p.m.
