A sign outside Amherst Farmers Supply on South Pleasant Street marks 80 years in business.
Located at 320 South Pleasant Street, just south of downtown Amherst, Amherst Farmers Supply has been operating since 1945.
The business has weathered decades of change, including the arrival of national chain hardware stores like Home Depot in December 2008 and Lowe’s in early 2010, both located just a few miles away in Hadley.
Like another local hardware stalwart, Cowls Building Supply in North Amherst, Amherst Farmers Supply has remained a go-to spot for locals by focusing on personal service, a deep understanding of regional needs, and reliable stock of bulk materials, tools, and farm supplies.
Just behind their lot are the remnants of a former rail line that once helped move goods through the region. Though no longer active, traces of the old New London Northern Railroad corridor can still be seen in this part of town. Passenger and freight service on that line ran through South Pleasant Street until about 1947.
Just a mile north stands the old Amherst Station, at the corner of Main and Railroad Streets. Amtrak trains stopped at the station until 2014.
Originally built in the mid-1800s, the station connected Amherst to a broader rail network for over 150 years. After passenger service ended, the line through Amherst was closed and rerouted, but the historic station building remains and is now home to businesses.
Rail service once played a key role in Amherst’s agricultural and commercial life, including businesses like this one that supported local farms and builders.
Amherst Farmers Supply’s ability to change with the times while staying rooted in community needs is part of what’s kept them strong for eight decades. They remain a dependable source for everything from soil and seed to gravel and lumber.
