Tractor Supply Co. comes to Riverview

Grand opening celebration is Jan. 19

By LOIS KINDLE

LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS
The new Tractor Supply Co. store at 10749 Big Bend Road, Riverview, will celebrate its grand opening Jan. 19 with a 10-percent discount on its entire inventory.

Folks in the farming and ranching community will be abuzz to learn that a Tractor Supply store has opened in South Shore. But you don’t have to live on a ranch or a farm to get excited about this retailer.

It’s like an old-fashioned general store specializing in agriculture needs like fencing, livestock equipment, trailers, tractor parts and storage tanks and animal supplies of all kinds, including house pets and wild birds. Its shelves are filled with foods and necessities for horses, hogs, chickens or cattle to dogs, cats, gerbils or rabbits — and pretty much everything in between.

There’s an array of Husqvarna power tools, Cub Cadet riding mowers and Bad Boy mowers, parts and supplies, wild animal traps, animal grooming supplies, even baby peeps at special times during the year. 

Even the average homeowner will find lots to shop for: Hunting supplies, propane, planters, bulbs, seeds, soil and fertilizer; garden tools, mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers; hoses, wheelbarrows and garden carts; sporting goods; items for outdoor living, generators and apparel, including Wrangler and Carhart clothing, boots and hats for both men and women.

“Our customer service is legendary,” said store manager Tim Boulris, who’s been with Tractor Supply for more than two years. “All team members are thoroughly trained to take care of the customer. In fact, many of them have been customers.

“We have services like our Neighbors Club rewards program, 30-day return policy and price-match guarantee with our closest competitors. And you can buy products online, and pick them up in our store.”

Michele Swab and her husband Shawn, of Lithia, load their basket during the soft opening of the Riverview Tractor Supply Co. store on Jan. 12.

The new 19,097-square-foot Riverview location joins more than 1,760 stores across the United States, including ones nearby in Plant City, Bradenton and Sarasota. It held a soft opening Jan. 12 and will have its grand opening celebration from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. Everything in the store will be discounted 10 percent that day, and 4-H students will be cooking and selling hot dogs to raise funds for their club.

Tractor Supply Co. was founded as a mail order business for tractor parts in 1938. Its first retail store opened in Minot, N.D. the following year. It bills itself as “the largest operator of rural lifestyle retail stores in the country.”

Michele Swab and her husband Shawn, of Lithia, loaded their basket during last Saturday’s soft opening. Wandering through the store, they stopped in just about every department before heading to the checkout area.

“I love Tractor Supply,” she said. “We have chickens, goats, ducks, dogs and cats, and this is where we get all their food, and then some! It’s a great place to shop for the entire family.”

Tractor Supply Co. is at 10749 Big Bend Road, Riverview, just past the Winn Dixie plaza east of U.S. 301. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome in the store.

For more information, visit www.tractorsupply.com or call 813-671-8400.

LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS
Store manager Tim Boulris is eager for folks to come out and see Tractor Supply’s wide array of inventory for farmers, ranchers and homeowners alike.

Although the new Tractor Supply store in Riverview hasn’t yet celebrated its grand opening, a steady stream of customers have already come by to check it out.

A couple of guys check out an impressive assortment of pet foods during the Tractor Supply store in Riverview’s soft opening Jan. 12.

Tractor Supply carries foods and supplies for everything from horses, hogs, chickens or cattle to dogs, cats, gerbils or rabbits — and pretty much everything in between.