Blain's Farm and Fleet Store Headed to the Old Shopko Location in Grafton, WI

After the long-running and popular Shopko Store, 1771 Wisconsin Avenue in Grafton, WI, closed its doors permanently due to a headquarters foreclosure in De Pere, WI, the large building stayed vacant for a handful of years.

On June 24th, a special announcement was distributed via press release that Blain's Farm & Fleet headquarters is going to build two new stores in Wisconsin - one in Rhinelander, WI and another one in Grafton, WI.

Both stores have a projected completion of Fall 2022.

With Blain's opening of five new locations within the last three years in Michigan alone, Blain's Farm & Fleet is looking forward to expanding its presence within their home turf in Wisconsin—the state where the original Blain's Farm & Fleet vision came to fruition over 66 years ago.

"It's not just about growing. It is about carefully selecting the right communities who truly appreciate our family-owned Modern General Store," says Jane Blain Gilbertson, Blain's Farm & Fleet President, Owner, and CEO.

"We are very selective about the locations where we choose to grow because we are in it for the long haul. Unlike other retailers who close stores regularly, we have never left a community where we have opened a store."

Gilbertson added that with both communities experiencing incredible growth, Blain's Farm & Fleet is excited to work closely with local officials to complete both projects in 2022 and contribute to the area's economic and industry growth.

Blain's Farm & Fleet has long planned to expand into Rhinelander and Grafton, specifically in Rhinelander, having purchased the land several years ago.

With both communities experiencing incredible growth, Blain's Farm & Fleet is excited to work closely with local officials to complete both projects in 2022 and contribute to the area's economic and industry growth.

According to the press release, each store will include the new, modern Blain's Farm & Fleet design. The Grafton location will be 94,500 square feet, and the Rhinelander location will be 84,200.

Both sites will feature the signature benefits customers can expect from each Blain's Farm & Fleet store, like a state-of-the-art automotive service center, full drive-thru area, small engine repair center, and more.

These new stores will bring about 100 new jobs to each community. The jobs will include a mix of full-time and part-time positions, including store managers, cashiers, department product experts, small engine repair, and auto service technicians and managers.

The company is planning to conduct hiring fairs in summer and early Fall 2022.

To learn more about Blain's Farm & Fleet, visit Blain's Farm & Fleet Web Site.