Bomgaars expanding, moving south in Spencer

(File photo) The former Kmart building, across from the Southpark Mall, will be the site of a Bomgaars relocation. Company officials in Sioux City say the new site will house the largest indoor display of farm items in the 48-store Bomgaars chain.

Sioux City-based Bomgaars Supply announced plans to relocate its Spencer store from the current spot on the north edge of Spencer to the former Kmart location.

Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2002. The Spencer location, across from the Southpark Mall, was closed in July of that year. It reopened as a storage and distribution warehouse for a time, but has recently been vacant.

The Bomgaars move signals a return of retail for the site and puts the store closer to other "big box" businesses, including Wal-Mart and Menards. Spencer also will have one of the larger Bomgaars locations as a result of the move.

"The area of town was more significant than the size of the building," said Pam Winebrinner, the company's vice president of Human Resources and Risk Management. "Actually it's a relatively large building for Bomgaars. It's about three times bigger than our current location, but we really believe the retail hub of Spencer is actually on the south side of town."

Construction is expected to begin soon, with a February 2010 opening targeted in south Spencer.

"We felt this new location better suited our needs and the needs of our customers," said Dave Meyer, the senior vice president and chief operating officer at Bomgaars. "It is a premier retail zone and we look forward to moving to the south end of town where many other businesses have chosen to locate over the past several years."

Bomgaars does not own the building at its existing location. Winebrinner doesn't know the future for the former Shopper's Supply structure.

Building materials, offered at the north Spencer site, will not be moved to the new location. The Spirit Lake Bomgaars will continue to sell building materials and make deliveries for customers in the Spencer area.

"While many departments will greatly benefit from this relocation, building materials will not be included in the new store," Meyer said.

The company said customers will notice increased footage on the sales floor, with larger work wear and footwear departments. The DeWalt line will be given more space in the tool department. Larger pet and animal care offerings are also in the plans.

The store will have a farm and ranch focus, with a large indoor display of cattle gates, corral panels, fencing, stock tanks and other items. The company calls it the largest indoor display of farm items in the 48-store chain.