By SHELLY GUERRA

Strongsville Post editor

Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply, located near the railroad tracks at 12701 Prospect Road in Strongsville and 677 Dover Center Road in Westlake has been a staple in the community for over 75 years. The family owned business, however, is not your grandparent's farming store. Landmark has bloomed into the go-to place for everything you need not only to get your lawn and garden looking beautiful at a great value, but to care for your four-legged family members, too.

"People have associated us with a local farming store, but we are so much more than that," general manager Shawn Varga said. "We are a one-stop shop."

Landmark sells everything for those outdoor do-it-yourself lawn and garden projects (including products from Scotts, Ortho, Bayer, and Bonide), to birdseed, dog and cat foods, small animal feeds, fertilizers, propane and firewood. Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply also carries a full line of bagged mulch, topsoil, natural Sweet Peet, Freeland Potting Soil, Freeland Root Booster, fertilizers, weed controls and much more.

Landmark carries bulk landscape materials including mulch, natural Sweet Peet, soil, leaf humus, stone, gravel and sand. Landmark will deliver these products right to your home, seven days a week. Of course, you can also pick up these items if you choose. They also sell pond supplies - whether you are looking to care for a large lake or a small backyard pond.

Going that extra mile for customers is what sets a business like Landmark, one with deep roots in the community, apart from the others.

From yesterday to tomorrow

Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply started out as a co-op business over 75 years ago, serving area farmers. "You could get everything at the stores from clothes, feed to fuel," owner Gary Smith said.

In the 1980s more farmers began selling their property for home development, signaling another transformation in the family owned business.

"This was a big change in our business, changing our focus from the farmer to the homeowner," Smith said. "People knew what Landmark carried then, but they may not know what we do now. We want to show them all that we do. The key is to get them in the door and show them our wide variety of quality products and the meaning of excellent customer service."

In 2007, Landmark opened their new location near the railroad tracks on Prospect Road in Strongsville. The expanded store has allowed Landmark to expand their product lines to cater to the new demands of today's customer.

Accommodating four-legged customers, too

New Landmark customers are often surprised to learn that the business sells a wide variety of dog and cat food and a full line of supplies (including leashes, litter, toys and treats). Landmark's dog and cat food business is based on the same values of quality used in company's growth over the past 75 years.

Not sure which food to feed Fido? The employees at Landmark do. The company has researched various brands of dog and cat food and offers those not typically available in your big-box pet food chains or grocery stores.

"These pet food lines are much better for pets," Varga said. "We sell a great mix of quality, all-natural foods and our staff is trained to help you make the right choice for your pet."

All-natural brands from Innova, California Natural, EVO, Fromm, Healthwise, Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Diamond Naturals and Science Diet fill the shelves at Landmark's stores. Should you have questions, employees have gone through extensive training in each brand straight from the pet food's manufacturer. They know the benefits of each food brand, and can provide information about how to promote a healthy lifestyle for your pet.

"We also offer great customer service that you won't get at other retailers," Varga said. "We'll carry those heavy bags to the cars and we offer frequent buyer cards on food lines."

And yes, your furry best friend is allowed in the store to shop with you.

The problem solving place

No doubt there's a lot going on at both the Strongsville and Westlake Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply stores. But don't let the hustle and bustle fool you. They aren't a wholesale store where customers are treated as numbers. Instead, the staff will gladly assist you with your do-it-yourself landscape project.

"We are able to take our time with the customers. We are knowledgeable, personable and you get great customer service - and that's what puts us above the rest," Varga said.

"Customers are always bringing in leaves or branches and asking us to diagnose the problem and recommend a solution. They also bring us their general project ideas or the size of something they have to work with and we help them plan it, put it together and even deliver the products for them," Varga said.

Not just a spring and summer destination

The staff at Landmark is available year-round. During the cold weather months, Landmark is a staple for birdseed, firewood, propane, rock salt and blended deicers (that are pet friendly). The store is a great place to go to find seasonal plants, including Christmas trees.

Be sure to stop in and see all that Landmark Lawn and Garden has to offer. Landmark is open seven days a week year round. From April 1 to July 15 hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From July 16 to March 31, Landmark is open for business Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information visit them at their Web site at www.landmarklawnandgarden.com or give Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply of Strongsville a call at 440-238-1600. If more information is needed about the Westlake location near the railroad tracks at 677 Dover Center Road, please call 400-871-1500.