Somerton, Arizona (AZ Family) — Lerma’s Feed Western Wear & More is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The family-owned Somerton business sells Western-style clothing, feed and animal products.
Owner Ephraim Lerma describes the store as a toy store for people looking for Western clothing and equipment. He opened the store with his wife in 2004.
“I was in retail and she was a banker. We wanted to open our own business, so we did,” Lerma said.
He said he credits his family for being able to grow the business and stay open for so long. His son Adam also helps manage it.
“When I dreamed of owning a store, I dreamed of making it what it is now,” Lerma said. “For all the Westerners who ride horses, we have all their equipment.”
While the company celebrates its 20th anniversary victory, it is also bracing for possible price hikes from distributors after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“Every time you order, a new price applies and it’s never the same. We have to keep marking it and marking it up,” Lerma said.
Lerma said they have been dealing with rising prices over the past few years, some of which is due to inflation, but they have been able to overcome those hurdles.
Like any business, there have been uncertain times. Our biggest challenge so far has been keeping our doors open through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I contracted the coronavirus in October 2020, so I had to leave the hospital and was put on a ventilator,” said Lerma, who was hospitalized in Phoenix for 60 days.
“The doctors told my wife that I couldn’t go home because my condition wasn’t getting better. Everyone prayed for me and God saved me,” Lerma said. Ta.
He thought he would return home to his failing business, but his children stood him up.
“My son and family kept it going because I couldn’t be here,” he said.
While other stores have closed, his son said he has remained open because of his loyal customers.
“Economics change and there are ups and downs, but we do what we can control and that provides our customers with the best customer service,” said Adam Lerma, store manager.
Their resilience over the past two decades has helped the Lerma family stay positive despite the potential for price increases due to proposed tariffs.
President Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and up to 60% on imports from China.
Many economists say small businesses will be hurt, and the cost will be passed on to consumers.
Lerma said he will likely have to cover some of the costs to satisfy customers.
“That’s what I like about being an owner. If something is selling for a certain price, I’ll do half and half. I get to choose how I price things. . I’m going to help my customers by lowering it a little bit from retail, but they’re still going to help me by buying from me,” Lerma said.
“So I’m going to help them, and I think that’s what’s going to happen with this new tax. We just have to deal with it,” he added.
While most business owners will not be happy about this blow, Lerma is confident that the company will overcome this crisis.
“Every time we’ve been in trouble, we’ve come out of it. I always feel like God has provided for us. He’s sent me the right people and we is still here and has worked hard,” Lerma said.
That’s why we’re thanking our customers as we celebrate a milestone in Somerton on Saturday. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., food will be handed out and a raffle will be held to win in-store items.
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