Our Story

Monica

Our Story

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Established in 1944 by Harry Gross, originally operating out of his house on the site of the East Sprague store, Northwest Seed & Pet has been a cornerstone of Spokane’s community for eight decades. Harry Gross, a natural promoter, expanded the business beyond traditional lawn and garden products to include pets and pet supplies.
In 1946, Ken Hester Sr., along with his wife Frieda and two young sons, made Spokane their home, eventually purchasing Northwest Seed & Insecticide in 1954. The business evolved over the years, and in the early 70s, Hester’s sons joined, leading to the renaming of the store to Northwest Seed & Pet. In 1979, Hester Sr. passed the baton to his sons. The business flourished, prompting the addition of a second location on North Division in 1983, which saw rapid expansion within just two years.
In 1978, Bob Mauk joined the team, and in April 2003, he seized the opportunity to purchase the business from the Hester brothers, becoming a steward of its legacy. With 80 years of service, Northwest Seed & Pet has been a trusted resource for the yards, gardens, ponds and pets of the Inland Northwest.
Now, under the stewardship of the Moore family—Darfus and Crystal Moore, along with their daughter Aubrey Moore—who assumed ownership in July 2023, Northwest Seed & Pet continues its commitment to serving the community. Bob Mauk, alongside the Moore family, remains dedicated to providing an unmatched variety and selection, from indoor and outdoor plants to tropical fish, bird houses, locally grown gourmet popcorn, and Huckleberry syrup and jams, just to name a few.
We invite you to bring your questions or stop by and explore. You’ll be amazed by the breadth of offerings and the expertise that Northwest Seed & Pet has to offer.