How Local Shops Like Elston Hay & Grain Keep Our Hometowns Strong
There’s something about small towns that big cities just can’t replicate. Maybe it’s the way folks wave when you drive by, or how the person bagging your pet food knows your dog’s name before yours. Around here, community isn’t a buzzword, it’s how we live.
At Elston Hay & Grain, we see it every day: Neighbors helping neighbors, stories swapped across the counter, and friendly faces showing up not just to buy, but to connect. Supporting small businesses is more than a transaction; it’s an investment in the people and places that make our town feel like home.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
Our story started more than 55 years ago, when John and Nancy Elston opened a small hay business right here in Ramona. What began in 1969 has grown into a trusted community hub for families, farmers, and animal lovers alike.
When Wayne and Teresa Elston took the reins in 2003, they carried forward that same spirit – built on hard work, genuine care, and a love for animals and community. Today, we’re proud to serve everyone from lifelong ranchers to backyard chicken keepers, offering quality products, honest advice, and the kind of small-town service that’s getting harder to find.
Because at Elston’s, caring for animals has always meant caring for our community.
A Warm Welcome to New Faces
If you’ve noticed that we’ve got some new neighbors lately, you’re not imagining it! Families are moving in, city folks are trying their hands at raising chickens and goats, and more and more folks are discovering the charm of rural living.
To everyone who’s recently joined our corner of San Diego County, welcome. Stop by the store and say hello, we’d love to get to know you.
And to our longtime customers: Thank you for helping us keep this community strong. We’d love your help introducing your neighbors to our Elston Hay & Grain stores. Bring them in, show them around, and share what makes this place special to you. (And bonus: If they sign up for Elston’s emails, they’ll get $5 OFF their first $20 Purchase.)
Join Us for Small Business Saturday!
We’d love for you to join us Saturday, November 29, 2025, as we celebrate Small Business Saturday right here at Elston Hay & Grain!
It’s one of our favorite days of the year, a chance to say thank you for supporting local businesses like ours. Stop by to enjoy:
- A special sale, announced Saturday, both online and in-store
- Friendly faces and good conversation
- A neighborly atmosphere that reminds us why shopping small matters
Whether you’re stocking up on feed, picking out something for your pets, or just stopping in to visit, we’d love to see you. So come on by! Bring a friend, meet your neighbors, and help us celebrate YOU – what makes shopping local so special.
Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters
When you shop local, you’re doing more than buying a product, you’re helping keep this community thriving. Every dollar spent at a small business circulates right back into our local economy, funding schools, supporting local events, and creating jobs for friends and neighbors.
Small businesses bring character, care, and connection to the places we call home. They’re the ones sponsoring youth teams, showing up at the fair, and lending a hand when someone’s in need. They remind us that business can still be personal—and that’s what makes it meaningful.
See You at Elston’s
Whether you’ve got a barn full of horses, a handful of chickens, or a pup who thinks he runs the place, you’ll find what you need at Elston Hay & Grain. From horse and livestock feed to poultry, pet, and small-animal supplies, we’re here to keep your animals healthy and your homestead running smoothly.
Browse our products online or come by the store to chat – we’re always glad to help find what works best for you.
Here’s to Keeping It Local
Every time you choose a local business, you help preserve the small-town way of life that makes this region special.
So here’s to all of you – our customers, neighbors, and friends – who continue to believe in the value of small businesses. Together, we’re more than a marketplace. We’re a community built on trust, hard work, and heart.
From all of us at Elston Hay & Grain, thank you for being part of our story, and for letting us be part of yours.
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Elston Hay & Grain
For over 55 years, Elston’s has been San Diego’s go-to for animal care and rural living. We proudly support generations of horse lovers, livestock caretakers, pet owners, and home growers with top-notch hay, feed, and supplies. Rooted in ranching and built on friendly know-how, we’re here to help you care for your animals with confidence. Whether you’re raising chickens, feeding a stable, or spoiling your pup, here at Elston’s we’ve got what you need.
Shop online or visit us at our locations in Ramona and Poway. We proudly deliver to all of San Diego County, including Escondido, Lakeside, Warner Springs, Julian, Ranchita, and South County. https://shop.elstonhayandgrain.com/