Sloan’s
Friday, March 1st, 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments
“Where You Feel Like One of the Family”
By Tom Irmen
As a Monroe County resident for the past 13 years, I think I can speak for all of us transplants in saying that the Sloan’s shopping experience is truly amazing. How in the world are they able to get such a large and diverse merchandise selection in each of their three locations? Seriously… if Sloan’s doesn’t carry it, you don’t need it.
In addition to their wide assortment of merchandise, I’ve always been impressed with the product knowledge of their associates. This at a time when customer service levels are declining in most retail stores.
I recall one experience from several years ago when I wasn’t able to find something at Sloan’s Vonore location. I was greeted by T.K. Sloan on the way out of the store when he asked me if I had found everything I was looking for. I responded that I had not. T.K. asked me to come back later in the week, which I did, only to discover the exact product that Sloan’s hadn’t stocked just a few short days earlier.
I guess I just can’t say enough good things about Sloan’s. They have been a staple in our community during a time when the big-box stores were “cherry picking” higher populated areas, ignoring smaller communities like ours.
Also, if you haven’t tried Sloan’s Vonore meat market, you’re missing one of their truly outstanding features.
Convenient locations, huge selection, competitive prices, and friendly and knowledgeable associates are the reasons that area residents have been loyal to Sloan’s for more than a century now.
To sum it up, the Sloan’s experience is truly unique. It’s an experience where you’ll feel like one of the family. I thought it might provide even greater insight into Sloan’s if I shared a recent interview with brother and sister team, T.K. Sloan and Whitney Sloan-Grubb.
MV: The Sloan family name is well known in both Monroe and Loudon counties, primarily as a result of your multiple retail business locations. Can you tell us a little about your family and your businesses?
T.K.: We started business in 1901 with a general merchandise store in Gudger, TN. They carried everything from groceries and screen doors to hats and coats, with the bulk of the merchandise received by rail car. From there, they moved into the city of Madisonville with a Purina feed and hardware store. Then Bill Sloan, Sr. and Bill Sloan, Jr., our grandfather and father, moved to the location on Tellico Street in Madisonville where they stayed for many years, eventually becoming the three stores we have now. We are currently the fourth generation to actively own and operate Sloan’s stores.
MV: How long has the Sloan family been entrepreneurs?
Whitney: Our roots in the retail family business can be traced back as far as the Civil War.
MV: Was there one family member in particular who was the inspiration behind what is now three separate Sloan retail businesses?
Whitney: Our father, Bill Sloan, Jr., set the example of a hard-working, honest, and fair store owner. He is the textbook description of what a business owner should be to be successful.
MV: How important a role has both family and your associates played in your business success?
T.K.: We have several key employees that have been with us for more than 20 years, and one, Alene Moser at our Madisonville location, who has been with us for more than 35 years. Our family and associates are truly the backbone of our business, providing a level of unparalleled customer service and selection.
MV: Can you tell us how your business varies by location?
Whitney: Our Vonore location features a full-service supermarket and a fresh meat counter, convenience store, fuel center, and sporting goods with live bait, as well as a hardware store. The Madisonville location offers one of the most complete hardware stores and paint centers in the area. Our Loudon location has a large lawn and garden center offering trees, shrubs, flowers, garden plants, bulk mulch, beautiful garden and yard fountains, and lawn ornaments. It also has a full-service contractor counter with all the lumber and supplies needed to build your perfect dream home, garden shed, or just to remodel, plus a well-stocked hardware store and paint department.
MV: How did Sloan’s become synonymous with quality meats?
T.K.: We have a staff of experienced butchers who have more than 75 years of combined experience. We only buy the best quality meats, and they take it from there! For them, it’s an issue of personal pride.
MV: You’ve made a great many changes during the last year at Sloan’s Village Home Center to better meet the needs of Tellico Village and the surrounding communities. Do you have any additional changes planned for the future that you’d like to share with our readers?
Whitney: We are planning to continue to expand the lawn and garden section under the guidance of Laura Louden. Also, new in 2013 is our eatery/deli, managed by Village resident CeCe Keeler. The deli is open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. We have also worked hard in 2012 to make our store your first choice for quality hardware and paint and selection in the area.
MV: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
T.K.: Our family and associates have always worked hard to provide excellent customer service experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Our business is built around our customer service! Our customers are our friends. We invite you to visit Sloan’s, where you’ll feel like one of the family.
View or download Sloan’s weekly food ads at www.sloansstore.com
.
