The Neofotistos clan in the early 1900s. The barn at right is where the plaza at the corner of Hampson Street and Parker Avenue now stands. (COURTESY PETE’S GRAIN)
Where else in Dracut can you buy pet products, firewood, mulch, live bait … oh, and handmade Christmas balls and wreaths?
Pete’s Grain at 116 Hampson Street has all of that and more. And they’ve been doing it since the turn of the 20th century.
These days, Pete’s Grain is run by siblings Louis and Anna Neofotistos, representing the third generation of the family.
Pete’s Grain is Dracut Economic Development’s Business of the Month for December 2024.
Their grandfather, Louis G. Neofotistos, started the business in what is now known as Neofotistos Square around 1900. Actually, at one point there were six businesses all running out of the spot, all operated by the Neofotistos family: Pete’s Grain & Trucking (the trucking has been discontinued), Meadow Brook Dairy, Nick’s Hardware, Louis G. Neofotistos Co., Nick’s Used Cars, and Pete’s Rubbish Disposal.
“People used to come here by horse-and-buggy to pick up their grain and supplies,” Anna said.
The whole square was farmland back then, including where Primo Pizza now stands at 149 Parker Avenue, as well as the plaza at the corner of Hampson and Parker that includes A&A Liquors and Market, Elite Creations, J’s Barbershop, Ongoing Technology, and Paws for Nature Holistic Pet Grooming.
“That was a barn,” Louis said, pointing toward the plaza.
“My grandfather made a deal with the town,” he said. “The town wanted to extend Hampson Street, so he said I’ll give you the property if you allow me to put businesses on both sides of the road. My dad told me Hampson Street used to be a cow path before they extended it (from Phineas Street to Pleasant Street).”
A milk bottle from Meadow Brook Dairy (DRACUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PHOTO)
Pete’s started out selling feed, grain, hay and dairy products.
“My grandfather had 200 cows and 600 chickens,” Anna said. “He had barns everywhere. He had 12 kids and had them all working for him from 4 in the morning to 8 at night. He was tough.”
One of those 12 siblings was their father, Stavros “Steve” Neofotistos, who kept the family business going after Louis G. died in 1960. Another was their uncle, Pete, who was struck by a train and died when he was 20. Their grandfather named the business in his memory.
The Neofotistos siblings are constantly updating their stock according to season. These days, of course, firewood and Christmas products are hot.
“It’s basically a seasonal business,” Anna said. “We sell flowers and annuals, then there’s mulch season, then cornstalks in the fall, then firewood. And at Christmas time, we get into the wreaths and Christmas balls.
Christmas balls are decorated and ready. (DRACUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PHOTO)
“We bebop from one thing to another,” added Anna, who has been making Christmas balls and wreaths for about 40 years. “It’s fun. I like it.”
Pete’s Grain is an outlier in these days of conglomerates and large corporate stores.
“I think we’ve done pretty well surviving the big-box stores and everything else that’s come along,” Louis said. “I learned early on that you can’t depend on anybody but yourself.”
And your sibling/business partner, of course. As Anna said, each has his or her own niche – Anna runs the store, Louis does the heavy work and delivers products.
Siblings Louis and Anna Neofotistos are the third generation running Pete’s Grain Company. (DRACUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PHOTO)
“He can’t do it without me, and I can’t do it without him,” Anna said.
And though it may not be either sibling’s dream job, they keep Pete’s Grain running in memory of their father, who dedicated his life to keeping his father’s dream alive.
“I want to keep my father’s legacy alive as long as I can,” he said.
Pete’s Grain Company is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 978-957-3008, email msannaneo@aol.com, or visit www.petesgrain.com.
