Agri Feed Pet Supply named 2026 PETS+ ‘America’s Coolest’ winner
Agri Feed Pet Supply in Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of nine independent pet stores and pet-service providers selected for PETS+ magazine’s “America’s Coolest.”
Twenty-five businesses made it to the semi-final round. After internal judging by the PETS+ editorial team, finalists were reviewed by an industry panel of previous winners, pet store suppliers and pet-related media.
Agri Feed Pet Supply was commended for the breadth of the store’s selection, from equine tack to raw pet food. One judge said it has “an impressively vast assortment for a business of its size” – while noting the warmth of design and layout.
Judge Claudia Loomis pointed to the multi-generational story behind the business, noting its evolution from serving family farmers at its founding to today’s blend of pet supply, equestrian and continued agricultural support. She called the ability to adapt and grow across 50 years “a huge accomplishment.”
Agri Feed’s award application stated: “If there is one thing five decades has taught us, it’s this: independent retail isn’t dying. It just has to be done right.”
Stephen Waites and store manager Chris Osterman at the Kingston Pike Agri Feed Pet Supply
Three generations, fifty years
Agri Feed Pet Supply was founded in 1976 by Mel Sturm. After his son Bradley Sturm’s passing in 1999, Bradley’s wife, Melissa Sturm, carried the business forward, building the community relationships and staff culture the store is known for today. Her son, Britt Sturm, vice president and now third-generation owner, returned to the business in 2016, building out e-commerce, local delivery, the Spaw self-service dog wash, a community dog park and the raw and fresh food program that judges called out this year.
The award lands during Agri Feed’s 50th anniversary year. The company will celebrate with Petoberfest, a two-day community event August 28-29, 2026, at both its Middlebrook Pike and Kingston Pike locations.
Expect: flash sales all weekend; doorbusters & anniversary specials; vendor reps & product demos; free goodie bags for the first 50 guests (per store, per day); giveaways & surprise deals; savings up to 50% off select brands; food trucks and activities for kids. Keep up with plans here.
Meet Britt
Britt Sturm is a perfect fit for his job. Many times, third-generation leaders falter, but Britt has an entrepreneurial spirit that entails risk-taking, growth and forward thinking. At age 34, he has already worked at the store for 10 years.
Britt says nutrition is key. Agri Feed will not sell a product that they would not feed to their own animal. Education is also important. Staff at Agri Feed are trained to help customers read and understand product labels.
Has he thought about animal furniture? Well, yes. He’s talking with a regional manufacturer of cat furniture. “They make high-quality pieces, but they won’t fall over.” The store currently carries houses, feeders and food for wild birds. “And we also have supplies for the family farm.”
The Kingston Pike store, located in the Lovell Heights shopping center, has an equestrian focus, Britt says. The stores ship nationally and deliver locally.
Before Mel Sturm died, Britt talked with him about his vision for Agri Feed. That recording is available on the store’s website – right up front. And Britt is looking forward to the next 50 years. (Please note, I do not expect to write that anniversary story.)
HPUD earns regional recognition
Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, which serves north Knox and parts of Union County for water and wastewater treatment, has brought home four awards from the recent conference held July 19-22 in Lexington, Kentucky.
HPUD won the 2026 Project Excellence Award for its Beaver Creek Interceptor Sewer Project; the 2026 Outstanding Water Treatment Plant Award for its Norris (Lake) Water Treatment Plant; and operational excellence awards for the Beaver Creek and Raccoon Valley Wastewater treatment plants.
The conference drew some 2,200 professionals plus exhibitors. It was a joint venture of Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee and American Water Works Association, Kentucky/ Tennessee section.
Muse Knoxville gets new board chair
Darris Upton
Muse Knoxville has ended its fiscal year with thanks to Darris Upton, of UCOR, as he completed his two-year term as chair of the board of directors. “Throughout his multiple terms of board service, Darris’s thoughtful leadership, expertise and unwavering support have helped guide Muse Knoxville through a transformative period and position us for an extraordinary future. We simply would not be where we are today without his leadership,” said Allison Comer, president & CEO.
John Billings
“We are also excited to welcome John L. Billings, Law Office of John L. Billings PLLC, as our new board chair, effective July 1. A dedicated, multi-term board member, John has long been a champion for Muse Knoxville, generously sharing his expertise, strategic perspective and deep community connections. As we continue advancing our vision for the future, we are grateful to have his leadership guiding our board.”
United Way official earns Bloomberg Fellowship
Kimberly Pettigrew
Kimberly Pettigrew, director of healthy communities for United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK), has been selected by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as a Bloomberg Fellow beginning in August 2026.
Pettigrew is the first from Tennessee to enter the Doctor of Public Health Program at Johns Hopkins through this fellowship.
Chrystal Armstrong Brown, president and CEO of UWGK, called her selection “a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to building healthy communities in East Tennessee.”
Pettigrew joined UWGK in August 2021 as director of food systems. Fellows receive a full scholarship to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Pettigrew earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Tennessee in 2009. In 2025, she earned a master’s in applied community development from Future Generations University.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Leaders by Sandra Clark.
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