Tractor Supply rival chain shutting all locations soon
When you live in a rural area, it becomes even harder for a single store to close because you have fewer options anyway.
In some cases, a single closing of an essential business, such as a grocery store or discount retailer, may force residents to travel long distances or rely on online retailers for some purchases.
When the Market Basket supermarket near our vacation home in New Hampshire closed, it affected my family on a personal level. This left the community without a real grocery store for years, forcing people to drive almost half an hour to buy essentials or overpay at local specialty stores.
Something similar happened when the K-Mart in Key West closed. That closure, one of the last in the chain, resulted in a theft of this remote area’s only big-box store, forcing residents to drive four to five hours before hitting a Walmart or Target.
Residents of the Pacific Northwest now face similar challenges, according to local reports.
Cascade Farm and Outdoor, which is closing all its stores in the markets it serves, will leave a similar gap for consumers.
Cascade Farm, a competitor to Tractor Supply, serves farmers and rural communities. It’s sort of a general store model with everything you could possibly need. The chain offers groceries, clothing, shoes, sporting goods, outdoor supplies, hardware and a variety of agricultural supplies.
“Cascade Farm and Outdoor is built on the great Northwest traditions you know and trust. As the newest addition to the Bi-Mart Family, Cascade Farm and Outdoor is committed to quality and value throughout our store. Our goal is to offer a helping hand as well as a great selection of quality products to our area’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and homeowners,” the company said. website.
Bi-Mart decided to close the entire chain in the spring and started off-sale sales in its stores.
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Cascade Farm and Outdoor will close. Shutterstock ·Shutterstock
The company announced the closure in a media release. KKB 11.
“While our Cascade stores division was successful, it did not have the volume and momentum to significantly contribute to our path forward. Our goal, always necessary in business, is to make the best decisions we can that will support the success of Bi-Mart, our employee-owners, and our members.”
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B-Mart plans to offer Cascade Farm employees positions at other stores when geographically possible.
“As an employee-owned company, our responsibility to our members and each other led us to the difficult decision to close our Cascade stores to ensure Bi-Mart continues to grow. We believe the strength of our core business is the most important factor in our continued growth and success in the Northwest,” said President Todd Watson.
The company started to offer discount opportunities in its stores. All sales in store are final and returns will not be accepted. Cascade Farm and Outdoor has not set an official closing date, saying only “this spring” in a statement and on the brand’s website.
Kristina Brant, co-author of two studies on the impact of business closures in rural communities, shared the heavy cost of a closure like this: Penn State University website.
“While some people may be able to travel to the next town to access services, this is not possible for everyone, so these closures may perpetuate inequalities between residents,” Brant said.
Nationwide estimate 53.6 million Americans (17.4% of the population) more live in low-income census tracts 10 miles to nearest supermarket or large grocery storehighlights the challenges rural communities face when local retail options close. USDA Economic Research Service.
Bi-Mart implemented in 2014: Cascade Farm and Outdoor opened its first store Walla Walla, Washington, 2014 as a new part Bi-Mart retail family focused on farm, ranching and outdoor lifestyles, according to the company’s plan website.
Part of the Bi-Mart family: It was stated that the brand operates under the umbrella of Bi-Mart, but with a different retail concept that targets customers in rural areas and outdoors, without requiring a membership to shop. Eugene Registry Protection.
A total of five stores by the mid-2020s: The concept has grown five locations Covering the Washington and Oregon markets as Bi-Mart explores this niche retail format, That Oregon Life reported.
Product offer: The stores had a wide range of products including: farm and ranch supplies, pet food and supplies, hardware, outdoor gear and clothing For farmers, ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts company.
2026 closure decision: Inside January 2026Bi-Mart announced that all Cascade Farm and Outdoor stores will be opened. close this spring With the company refocusing on its core Bi-Mart retail operations in the Pacific Northwest, he added: That Oregon Life.
Although the Cascade Farm and Outdoor chain will close, Bi-Mart has growth plans.
“While we are closing our Cascade Farm and Outdoor stores, we will continue with our plans to convert the Hood River Cascade store into a Bi-Mart this spring,” the company said. “Bi-Mart employee owners will work hard to make this transition as smooth as possible and look forward to serving the Hood River community.”
Using a Costco-style membership model, B-Mart plans to open in Seattle later this year.
