Nancy Snyder Knadler says the days of small, family-run businesses are coming to an end.

It began with the small neighborhood grocery stores and now it's reached the farm supply industry.As a result, Charles S. Snyder Inc. of Tamaqua, turned over the keys to AG-Industrial Inc.Effective Sept. 1, a local, 74-year tradition came to an end."Your mom-and-pop stores are disappearing, and we're a mom-and-pop store," said Knadler, co-owner and corporate secretary."Companies want to deal with bigger dealers," she said. "Bigger dealers get bigger discounts for tractors as well as parts."Charles S. Snyder Inc. specialized in farm equipment, an enterprise spawned in rural West Penn Township on the heels of the Great Depression.The first tractor sold by Snyder's went to Andrew Bolish of Weatherly on Nov. 21, 1940.Today, the tractor commands a presence inside the showroom, where it's featured as a monument to friendly customer service that helped the business survive for over seven decades.The early days reflected the traditional mode of transportation. Tractors were delivered to Snyder's by rail.In 1945, the first building was constructed at the company's present location on Route 443 near South Tamaqua.The New Holland line was added in 1951, and in 1960, Charles S. Snyder became incorporated.As the family grew, the business became fortified by the Snyder name.Charles F. Snyder took over the business in 1965.C. Chester Snyder, president, and Jean Snyder, treasurer, entered the business in 1970.Then, in 1979, Richard Knadler, vice president, and wife Nancy joined the firm.The product lines also expanded over the years, with Snyder selling not only tractors, but snow blowers, lawn mowers and toys.However, the bigger-is-better philosophy caught up with the agricultural supply industry, and the Snyder operation wasn't immune to the shift in philosophy.Paperwork was signed at the end of April for the transition to AG-Industrial, according to Nancy Knadler."We had to complete paperwork with 25 or 30 suppliers, too," she said.AG-Industrial is a New Holland tractor dealer that opened in 1976. The firm has locations in Rising Sun, Maryland; and New Holland and Douglassville, Pennsylvania.Their product line includes New Holland agriculture, New Holland construction, Stihl, Brillion, Pequea, Dixie Chopper, Club Car, Bush Hog, and Grasshopper.Some of the Snyder inventory will be conveyed to the new owners.However, as part of Snyder's inventory reduction, a public sale will take place Sept. 26-27, coordinated by West Penn natives Doug and Tim Houser of Houser Auctioneers.Details will be announced in the Times News.