SOUTH COVENTRY — It’s the start of a new era for the historic Pughtown Agway in Chester County. The business, which has a more than 100-year history in South Coventry Township, changed ownership at the beginning of April. However, its legacy as a community store serving the community continues due to the commitment of long-time co-owner Anna Magazzeni.
Anna and her husband Aldo Magazzeni bought the property in 1987 and have owned and operated the Pughtown Agway since 1988, with Anna taking the lead on day-to-day operations since 1993. At the beginning of April, the business was sold to Gary Hoover, a lifelong Chester County farmer and owner of Hougar Farms, which supplies hay and feed to area farmers. Anna Magazzeni’s personal history with the property goes back to when she was growing up in the area — on a farm about a mile away — visiting the business with her father from the time she was about 6 years old.
When the couple started to talk about retiring and what would come next, they talked about selling. “Aldo and I had been talking about getting out for a while, just because we have so many demands up at our (Perkiomenville) farm, and it was just time to pass it on,” said Anna Magazzeni. The couple has been approached about selling over the years, but Aldo said Anna was clear that she wouldn’t sell to a developer.
“Anna said ‘if the right person comes along and wants to keep it as a farm store, then I’ll know I am ready,’ and low and behold this fa.
