For Margaret Millspaugh, a childhood dream came to life with the opening of her very own store, the Wagon Train Feed & Pet back in the Spring of 1984. The “Wagon Train“ is an animal lovers staple that has served Orange County for 37 years at the hands of a passionate and committed local leader,  along with the family of employees she cherishes and adores. 

I met Margaret in 2013 when I had the honors of assisting her in the difficult sale of her home in Orange. It was a heartbreaking experience for her and such an honor that she trusted me to help her through the trenches of despair. I too had gone through a similar experience and so I was able to put my best foot forward to take good care of her during a difficult divorce, and the sale of her home. In my heart, I could see the New Beginning on the horizon for her. I got to know her and I saw this woman walk through these challenging times with Dignity and Grace. It was the love she had for her children and this store that kept her going. She thanks the Lord everyday for watching over her. Through the process, I enjoyed several conversations getting to know Margaret and the store she had always dreamed of opening. By happenstance, today the Horse & Home Real Estate office and the “Wagon Train” are neighbors in the Orange Canyon Village shopping center. It is not a “coincidence” that I too had dreamt of opening a real estate office in the  same center we both reside in. 

I recently sat down with Margaret to talk about life and her dreams as a small business owner and her utmost love for her family. The most important things in her life are her children and husband Kevin, whom she married in 2014. Lucky Guy! He is her best friend and BIGGEST fan. Did I mention Kevin is her BIGGEST fan?! You’ll see his infamous orange pick up truck parked in front of her store, almost daily to help her with whatever it is she needs. I couldn’t be more thrilled to share Margaret’s story, her heart and her incredible love for the community. Her story is one of triumphs and challenges as she has persevered through the many ups and downs of life and business ownership. 

Margaret has been passionate about animals since she was a young girl growing up on her family’s farm in Anaheim Hills. She graduated from Villa Park High School, class of 1973. After high school she followed her passion for animals by working in the horse show industry as a groom and catch rider, where she won awards for being the #1 Groom in the State of California. Later she spent several years managing a local store called the Feed Barn located in San Juan Capistrano. There she learned the feed store business and built lasting relationships with industry vendors. Margaret always knew she wanted to own her own business and set her sights on her very own feed store. In 1984, with just twenty thousand dollars, Margaret opened her dream come true, the Wagon Train Feed & Pet! 

As we spoke about the store Margaret joyously reflected on memories of laying tile, painting walls, and building displays with help from her Mom Barbara, her brother and her sisters. The budget to open the store was quite tight, but once her industry vendor friends and the OPA community heard about her new store, they jumped to action and graciously filled her store with merchandise to get the store up and running.  

It was the late 1980s and business was booming. Margaret’s horse show connections came in handy. Soon she was delivering feed to all the local farms and horse shows. She also welcomed two beautiful children, Erin and Lehi. She describes her children as “the best thing that ever happened to me” and she is now a grandma of twin boys. Margaret’s children and passion for her business and their creative hearts helped lead her through difficult seasons of being a single Mom running a business. 

Over the years the store has become a fixture for the Orange Hills community. Margaret has persevered through two divorces, two recessions and most recently the COVID pandemic. Nothing can stop her! 

During the economic downturn of the early 1990s Margaret approached local schools with the opportunity to purchase incubators. She shared her incubators with teachers all over the state. She spread the value of youth learning life lessons through the egg hatching process. Over 2,000 classrooms all over are still relying on the “Wagon Train” for incubator hatching lessons, purchases and repairs to this day. 

Most recently, managing through the COVID pandemic, the store has relied on their loyal customers, grooming services, and those incubators again. With the help of her daughter Erin, the store offered incubator rentals to the local community. Families looking for educational activities to do at home were able to rent equipment and learn at home. It was a total hit! Margaret cited her commitment to being fiscally responsible, creative, and having a strong community as the reason she has been able to keep the doors open.  

In addition to the store, Margaret and her husband Kevin have their own family farm called KMAR Farms located in the city of Norco. KMAR Farms has also received city awards. Margaret and Kevin opened their farm to the public, allowing kids to learn and interact with their many farm animals. The kids learn about baby animals, feed the livestock, eat the garden’s fresh fruit and vegetables as they venture through the URBAN farm life on a train or tractor ride.  

Margaret also shared about the many wonderful friendships she has made within the community over the years. She especially enjoys seeing the kids of yesterday come visit with families of their own today. She takes pride in hiring local young adults and helping to provide them their first real world work experience. She explained, “The store is often their first job out of high school. I tell them If they come to work here, they must dress nice, be on time, and be committed to their schedule. I hope to teach them the fundamentals so they can go on to have a better job.” For Margaret, it’s all about passion and consistency. I am in awe of Margaret’s commitment to helping our community, our children, and of course all our furry family members and friends. Margaret has truly been a pillar to the community and is one of my inspirations! Whether it’s for grooming, pet supplies, feed, or starting your own backyard chicken coop, you can find all you need at the Wagon Train Feed & Pet!   

The Wagon Train Feed & Pet is open 7 days a week and is located at 7618 E Chapman Ave. Orange, CA in the Orange Canyon Village Shopping Center. (Conveniently located next to HORSE & HOME REAL ESTATE.) 

(Please check out the Wagon Train Fall Fundraiser ad on the back page of this newsletter for details)