SARATOGA SPRINGS — Just ask them. People who feed outdoor birds really love their birds and love their hobby. The birds they feed become “their” birds, kind of like outdoor pets, or “pets without the vets”, as Lois Geshiwlm says.
Fourteen years ago, Lois and her business and life partner Nancy Castillo saw an opportunity to open a Wild Birds Unlimited shop that would cater specifically to the needs of bird-feeding hobbyists.
Castillo and Geshiwlm said they are looking for a new owner for their shop, someone who will carry on the customer-centric approach that has helped them succeed. They plan to continue operating their business until they find the right buyer.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly 53 million people in the United States feed birds and watch wildlife in their own backyards. And each year, $5 billion is spent on birdseed and wildlife food, $969 million on bird feeders, birdbaths and nesting boxes and $918 million on binoculars and spotting scopes.
In August 2003, Geshiwlm and Castillo opened their Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU) shop in the brand new Shoppes at Wilton strip mall on the busy Route 50 corridor. Besides a wide selection of WBU- branded, bird-feeding hobby products, they fine-tuned their product selection to appeal to gift buyers looking for unique nationally and regionally made nature-related gifts.
The shop in Saratoga Springs serves a smaller population than most in the Wild Birds Unlimited system. Yet the local owners have grown the business over the years to be one of the most respected shops in the franchise. Their strong online presence and early adoption of various social media avenues complement the welcoming store environment created by Geshiwlm and their experienced staff.
Wild Birds Unlimited is part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with over 300 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The franchise specializes in expert information and offers an exclusive line of products designed specifically for the hobby of backyard bird feeding.
For more information, visit the websites www.saratogasprings.wbu.com or https://franchise.wbu.com/.
