MONROE — After first announcing it would move to the old ShopKo location in late January, Farm & Fleet in Monroe postponed the plan in late April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the company has announced, it will resume construction at the beginning of August to relocate the store to 405 W. 8th St.
“We’ve been monitoring the project and status since the postponement,” Miranda Becker, PR and event lead for Farm & Fleet said. “About a week ago we were able to get everything in line again to continue.”
The standstill on the project was due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic when store officials said they were concerned about material and product shortages. The project is now expected to be completed in the spring of 2021; the original completion date was set for the fall of 2020.
“We are elated to continue renovation of our new Monroe store and to be reinvesting in the Monroe community,” Owner and President of Farm & Fleet Jane Blain Gilbertson said in a press release. “Our neighbors in Monroe have remained loyal supporters of Blain’s Farm & Fleet for over 50 years and especially during this difficult time.”
Farm & Fleet has been in Monroe since 1964 and at its current location since 1972. The new location plans to add 20,000 square feet, a “best-in-class covered drive-thru,” an updated automotive service center, more than double parking and more employees. Customers will also notice wider aisles, expanded products and brand names and energy efficient LED lighting inside and outside of the building.
“We are really excited to further support this community because they’ve done a great job of supporting us,” Becker said.
The current store location at 251 8th St. will remain open while construction is underway. Blain’s Farm and Fleet is looking for interested parties to redevelop the current store site after relocating next spring.
“It is our goal to strengthen the communities that we serve,” Sara Iverson Smith, director of real estate, construction and facilities said. “So, we are focused on both building a best-in-class shopping experience in our new location and finding a good fit to fill our old location for the City of Monroe. That is what good neighbors do.”
Interested parties should contact Iverson Smith at siversonsmith@blainsupply.com.