Blain’s Farm & Fleet Announces Two New Store Locations in Grafton and Rhinelander!

We’re thrilled to announce that Blain’s Farm & Fleet will have an expanded presence in Wisconsin with new stores in Grafton and Rhinelander. With the addition of these new stores, Blain’s will now have 45 locations. With a projected completion set for fall of 2022, the emerging locations will be at the corner of East Timber Lane and Hwy 17 (Chippewa Drive) in Rhinelander and the former Shopko building at 1771 Wisconsin Avenue in Grafton.

“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.”

“These are two communities where we have wanted to be a part of for a long time because the quality of products we serve complements the quality of life these communities represent,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “For Rhinelander in particular, we’ve been working toward this opportunity for several years. This location is special to me because we’ve wanted to be nearer to my Dad and Uncle’s stomping grounds in northern Wisconsin.”

Growing up in Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin, Norman “Bert” Blain and William “Claude” Blain worked in their dad’s feed mill. Later, they opened Chevy and Oldsmobile dealerships in Weyerhaeuser, Bruce, and Ladysmith, WI. In 1955, they created the original Blain’s Farm & Fleet, opening stores in Janesville and Rice Lake. Sixty-six years later, Blain’s Farm & Fleet is still owned by the same family and has stood the test of time, with 43 stores currently operating across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.

Employment Opportunities

These new stores will bring about 100 new jobs to each community. These 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 stay in the loop on employment opportunities as well as exclusive offers, follow Blain’s Farm & Fleet on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In addition to high-quality products with the Blain’s Farm & Fleet brand name, these locations will carry top-rated brands, including:
• Clothing: Carhartt, Dickies, Under Armour, Levi’s, Lee, Life is Good, WorkNSport
• Footwear: Skechers, CAT, Carhartt, Hey Dude, TimberlandPro
• Tools & Hardware: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stanley, Craftsman, Hobart
• Paint & Supplies: Benjamin Moore, Valspar, MinWax, Rustoleum, Graco, Purdy
• Automotive: Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, Mystik, Fram, Prestone, Sea Foam, Meguiar’s
• Tire & Auto Repair Service: Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper
•Sporting Goods: Realtree, Scent Blocker, Yeti, Coleman, Rapala, Plano, St. Croix, Browning, Winchester
•Home & Housewares: KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Keurig, T-Fal, Lodge, Shark
• Pet Department: Purina, Blue Buffalo, Hill’s Science Diet, Iams, Canidae, Taste of the Wild, Kong, Greenies, Diamond, Eukanuba
• Agriculture: King Kutter, Nutrena, Behrens, Manna Pro, Ware, Weaver Leather, Agrimaster
• Lawn & Garden: Scotts, Miracle-Gro, RoundUp, Fiskars, Weber, Char-Broil, Estate
• Outdoor Power Equipment: Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton