Local History: Good-bye Millburn Feed

In the midst of the last pet food recall and scare, customers of Millburn Feed were proud of and relieved by the knowledge none of the pet food sold by the downtown fixture was involved in the recall.

As can be seen on the dog-food can label seen here, from the collection of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society, Millburn Feed Company, Inc. has a tradition of selling Blue Ribbon pet food.

Robert and Joan Boiles recently retired from the Millburn Feed business they continued after Bob's parents turned over to him the business they started in about 1939. A 1950s photo from the collection of residents John and Barbara Murray provides a glimpse of the building across from Millburn Town Hall. Also, the 1943 stock certificate from the society collection indicates founder Harry Boiles owned eight shares of the incorporated business.

In commenting on the history of the building, Joan Boiles noted it appears to have been a grocer's store before her father-in-law started his pet supply business there. She uncovered in the storeroom advertisements for food items such as Bond bread.

She further said records at town hall indicate the building dates to 1915, but local lore alludes to the building having been moved there from Main Street, so that 1915 date may be when it was transplanted. It was not uncommon to find downtown Millburn structures moved from their original location. It apparently was cheaper to do that than to demolish and build them anew.

Millburn's pet owners will be happy to know their pets can continue to enjoy blue ribbon pet food. Maplewood's Bill and Candace McClure will be moving their Maplewood Pet Shop into the former Millburn Feed Co., Inc. building at 378 Millburn Ave. The new pet supply business will be known as Millburn Pet Shop.