Tractor Supply Opening Mid-February

Looking West in Store Interior

Jaime White expects the doors to Tractor Supply in Lamar to be open on Saturday, February 14.  The 40,000 square foot store has undergone renovations since shortly before the end of the year and the pace is accelerating to meet the deadline.  The company, which has stores in 48 states, took over the former Alco Stores on Savage Avenue about a year after they closed in 2013.

“We have some contractors who are here until 8 or 9pm each evening, including Sundays,” White explained.  While the interview was underway, eight or nine people were busy installing insulation, connecting overhead wiring, checking the store’s thermostat system, installing phone lines and bringing in sheetrock.  The parking lot storage area is still under construction, as well as the hay barn, “We’ll offer three types of hay; timothy, alfalfa and grass in 40 and 120 pound bales,” White said.  The fenced in section will also house cattle and hog pens, kennels, wooden fence posts, barbed wire and stock tanks.

Northern View of Store

White said the store will employ 17 people with 12 sales associates and four department managers who will work either 22-29 hours or 40 hours a week.  “We’re bringing in all our shelves on the 19^th and that will also start the employee training schedule.  We expect a convoy of semis to start arriving with all the merchandise on the 26^th,” White explained.  He added there were about 100 applicants for the positions that were advertised online and locally.

White pointed in a slow 360 circle inside the store, describing what types of merchandise will be offered.  The southeast corner will offer various name brand boots.  Looking west and going clockwise, shoppers will find pet foods including tack as well as supplies for birds and rodents, and a separate feed room. Seasonal items such as garden supplies will be placed at the entrance court.  “We plan to sell baby chicks during the third week of February,” White said.  An aisle will be devoted to aromatic merchandise such as candles, followed by John Deere or Case-type toys, a separate area will display compressor equipment, welders and a line of DeWalt tools. “We’re stocking at least 30 toolboxes, plus mats for pick-ups and bed liners and garden items such as mulch, flowers and seed items will be on the front of the lot,” White explained.

He’s been in contact with the FFA advisors from six area schools and is making contact with 4-H representatives as he wants the store to become heavily involved with the students in these programs. “If they have sales or special events, we can set them up in the vestibule or out on the lot and we plan to start some donations for their programs, too.  We hope they’ll buy feed for their animals and we’ll support them during their livestock sales at the fairs,” he stated.

The store will be open seven days a week, 8 to 8 Monday through Saturday and 9 to 7 on Sundays.  There will be some local economic impact with the new store.  Tractor Supply has added 17 people to the local payroll and merchandise sales will help the City of Lamar with revenue taxes and the Light Plant will add a customer that will use a higher level of electricity.  It’s also hoped that the new store will bring customers from outside the area into Lamar for additional shopping opportunities.

By Russ Baldwin