M & S Outdoor Equipment is a local business that has adapted to the area’s weather conditions. When there’s snow, the store’s focus is on snowblowers and chainsaws. And when the weather is warmer, the employees easily make the shift to lawnmowers, trimmers and now their newest line — Schwinn bicycles.

The M & S initials used for this business are based on the first names of the owners, Michael and Susan Draayer. This couple have been dealing with weather conditions for 15 years at three Albert Lea locations.

“We do a lot with chainsaws when there’s less snow and people can get out into the woods,” Michael said.

However, this winter the chainsaw part of the business is down and a definite shift has been made to the moving of snow. As a result he says, “We’re sold out on snowblowers this year.”

This store, across from Holiday Lanes and near the National Guard Armory, also sells parts for all their equipment and does repair work. As an added service, M & S Outdoor Equipment, 519 Prospect Ave., does pick up and delivery for equipment to be repaired and to deliver newly purchased items.

“It’s pretty hard to haul some of this equipment around in a car,” he added.

Mike grew up in Clarks Grove and worked for Jensen Outdoor Equipment in that community for five years. He later worked for Royal Sports, Bridon Cordage and several other companies.

“I gained a lot of experience with my jobs,” he noted.

While working at Bridon Cordage, he met Susan Ulrich of Albert Lea. She later became his wife.

In 1994 the couple decided to start an outdoor equipment sales and service business based at their home. The first display and shop area was in the garage and the living room was used for storage. Three years later they relocated to the former site of Dick’s Small Engines on East Main Street. Then, in 2002, they purchased the building on Prospect Avenue and added the repair shop, service area and storage warehouse portion the following year.

The Draayers have an 8-year-old dog named Chip who is described as being part Labrador retriever and part something else. He serves as the firm’s official greeter.

“He goes wherever we go,” she commented.

Her husband said there will be a gradual shift to lawnmowers, including blade sharpening, in late March. Also, with the arrival of warmer weather, M & S will be promoting Schwinn bicycles. Right now there’s an array of bicycles in the showroom, including two electrically-powered versions and a three-wheeler. This store, incidentally, is a few blocks north of the Blazing Star Trail by way of Prospect Avenue.

In addition to Schwinn, other brands sold by M & S include eXmark, Husqvarna, Lawn-Boy, Toro and Stihl. Most of the equipment sold are from companies based in America except for some of the chainsaws, which are based in either Sweden or Germany.

M & S has won four Tribune Reader’s Choice Awards for being the best place to buy lawn equipment.

Michael said he likes to “make things.” As a result, he has created and sells an item with the official trade mark name of Brandits. This product has about a dozen zinc-plated all-steel patterns to be used for custom patio, driveway and sidewalk decorative patterns just after concrete is poured.

Another item he created, painted by Fountain Industries of Albert Lea and now being used by eXmark (a Toro company), is named the “silent salesman accessories rack.” It is a display near the door.

Hours of operations at M & S Outdoor Equipment are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday.