Langley: Business gone to the birds

The other day I saw two robins in my backyard. It was the same day I received a four-color brochure from the Wild Bird Center, Noland South Shopping Center, 4480 S. Noland Road, Independence. The brochure was filled with artwork by Charley Harper. He is featured on their new seed packaging bags.

Harper was an American wildlife artist with a unique style, perhaps described as “minimal realism” or “retro” as it doesn’t fit any traditional descriptions.

It was all the beautiful colors that caught my eye – vivid yellow birds, striking blue feathers, brilliant red cardinals. Yes, I am ready for color and spring.

A trip to this wonderful store filled with all things to attract your feathered friends, you will find – bird seed, houses, baths, all types of hooks, wind chimes, information and Van Liews statuary for your garden. It was there I met Dennis Friedrich, one of the owners.



Challenging beginning

Friedrich said he and his wife, Dorothy, were customers and when the store went up for sale in 2005 and they purchased it.

“I was partially retired,” said Friedrich. “I worked for Burns & McDonnell and KCP&L in purchasing, but this was our first time in retail sales.”

Friedrich said at the beginning the business was a challenge. He was glad that it was a franchise where the company could help with advertising, training, Web site, new E-store on line, and the new Charley Harper seed packaging campaign.

There was a downturn in sales in 2008 due to poor economic conditions. But a 12 percent bounce back in 2009. Friedrich claims it was due to the help from the franchise and the fact that he didn’t cut back on advertising.

There are four part-time employees; Ardys, Duane, Marilyn, and George, who is celebrating his 80th birthday.

Birdwatchers

Customers are almost equally split between male and female, and the average age is around 50. His customers come from all walks in life – a teacher from Raytown who set up a nature center at school or seniors in assisted living homes who enjoy feeding birds at their window sills. Friedrich said staycations have helped his business. Young families have made a small investment in backyard feeders and birdhouses and enjoy low-cost entertainment that is also educational.

Friedrich said in addition to customer service, shoppers also receive a lot of bird knowledge.

I can attest to both. My purchase of a large bag of bird seed and a new bird feeder was carried out to my car. In addition, I learned that martins should be here by the end of March. Friedrich said that hummingbirds and orioles should start arriving around “tax” day, April 15.

I found that there are different types of bird seed mixes in recyclable bags that attract different birds. For example, Birdwise is the standard with a blend of black oil, stripe and hulled sunflower, peanuts and millet, which attracts a wide variety of perching and ground feeding birds. PatioWise will keep your deck and patio clean with its mix of sunflower and peanuts, but no shells.

The Nut & Berry Buffet mix appeals to woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches and bluebirds as it is filled with sunflower, safflower, raisins, juniper berries and papaya. And to keep away those pesky squirrels, feed safflower seeds to the birds.

I also learned that Wild Bird Center has its own line of products as well as other brands.

I was introduced to Cleo (short for Cleopatra), an orange three-legged tabby, designated as the official customer greeter. Cleo was rescued from a local animal shelter after she was hit by a car. A very talented cat, Cleo also “writes” a column on pet supplies for the store’s newsletter.

“It’s a small business and you are not going to get rich. But you can make a decent living at it, if you are willing to work 50 to 60 hours a week,” Friedrich said. “I love every minute of it.”

You may reach Dennis Friedrich at 816-478-9399 or independence@wildbird.com, or visit the store, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.