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“Blish-Mize makes things happen,” she says. “They make good business decisions, which helps us be successful.” That understanding of rural communities is one of the primary reasons Bowman chose Blish-Mize as a partner for both Prickly Pear Farm & Home and Elkhart Lumber. Uhrmacher says Blish-Mize’s focus on rural independent retailers was a key factor in the partnership. Many of the company’s customers operate in small communities where the nearest big-box store may be over an hour away. “The hands-on approach that we took on that one is something they can’t get from some larger companies,” Uhrmacher says. For Bowman, the relationship goes beyond supplying products. She views Blish-Mize as a business partner that understands the realities of independent retailing and helps stores navigate major transitions while remaining focused on serving their communities. As she continues leading Elkhart Lumber’s transformation while her family oversees Prickly Pear Farm & Home, Bowman says having partners who understand rural retailing is critical to long-term success.

A hands-on partnership helped simplify a complex store transition while keeping the focus on customers and the community.

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