FOCUS ON:  Circle S Farm Solutions 
by Jodie Schlatter

Another building in the heart of Francesville has been kept alive by a local couple.  Circle S Farm Solutions, owned and operated by Tom and Annie Scholz, is a growing business on 117 S. Bill St.  This small company began in the Scholz residence December 2016, selling fertilizer and chemicals to local farmers.  Quickly the limitations of working from home became apparent and the couple purchased their present location from Rick Payne in May, 2018.  

This large two story building, houses office space, an apartment and a large warehouse.  This building was most likely once part of the Myers Opera Block that was constructed in 1908 by William C. Myers.  In what is now a warehouse, the remnants of what may have been lighting along the sides of the wall at various heights, makes one wonder if this room had once had a stage and seating for large audiences.  Having a concrete floor, this large extra space is conducive for storage.  

Now owning a large room in which to store products and with the community’s need for feed for large and small animals, the Scholz’s have expanded their inventory to include Purina and Umbarger feeds, as well as water softener salt.  So even if you don’t have a need for farm chemicals or fertilizer, you can still shop locally at Circle S Solutions for your cat food, for example!  Since the railroad ties that had run parallel along the back side of the building have recently been removed, loading and unloading of products has become more convenient.  

This building has surely changed over the years.  It is great to have local people invest in the historical building seeing its potential for a growing business.  The Scholz’s gave the outside a face lift with new awnings along the front. 

​Thank you Tom and Annie for having a vision and fulfilling a need in the community, both in products and utilizing space in this small town with a big heart.  Thanks for helping to keep that heart beating!

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