Coming to Worland in spring 2019

WORLAND - The new 36,000 square foot Bomgaars store being built east of Worland just off of U.S. 16, is set to open in the spring of 2019.

According to Bomgaars Rick Penkava, general operations manager – West, Bomgaars is a privately held, family owned company that has been in business for more than 60 years. It began in Sioux City, Iowa by the grandfather of the current owners. Worland's store will be store number 86 and number eight in Wyoming joining stores in Cody, Lander, Torrington, Gillette, Rawlins, Diamondville and Pinedale.

The store is still under construction, and as long as work stays on the present pace they should be able to start setting shelving in mid-January and hope to be open in mid-March, Penkava said, adding that the schedule is about a month ahead of the original timeline.

"We've had great weather over the summer and this fall," he said. He added that the general contractor has commented to him recently about "how great all the subcontractors have been to work with." He said a lot of the subcontractors have been local.

"They have a good work ethic and they are a lot of the reason we have been able to stay on schedule," Penkava said.

The Worland store is a mid-sized store for Bomgaars and will carry the same items as the other stores, work and western clothing, leather boots, rubber footwear, tools and automotive supplies.

"We're a farm store so of course we'll have animal and pet feed, fencing and parts for tractors," Penkava said.

He said that the main thing that differentiates Bomgaars is the center of the store, about 40 percent of every store, is changed out in the spring and fall for seasonal items. In the spring it is lawn, garden and barbecue/grilling supplies, and in the fall it is toys and hunting.

"We generally have a lot of depth in our inventory, when most folks come to get things from us, we have it," Penkava said. "We are a destination retail store. If something's broke at farm, or in the house, they come in for a reason and if you are able to satisfy their needs in most instances, that makes you successful."

WORLAND

As for building and opening their 86th store in Worland, Penkava said, "Worland to us looks like a great community. You're located in a long valley where you have diverse agriculture, you also have mountains and good grazing land around. It's kind of a natural setting, a town where we can provide a lot of services and do well in."

He added, "It's a very nice community. There's a lot of good infrastructure. Money has been spent on schools and hospital. It looks like a healthy, thriving community, one that we want to be a part of."

"When I originally went to Worland to explore the town ... I met up with LeAnn Baker of Washakie Development Association and LeAnn did a terrific job of identifying some potential sites for us, and putting us in contact with the people we needed to be in contact with. She made us want to come to Worland and really made our job on who to call so much easier."

Baker, WDA executive director said, "The WDA was excited to work with Bomgaars on a site selection, infrastructure issues and some access."

She added, "Anytime you can get a new business that chooses your community and adds to the tax base, adds to the economy with new jobs, it's a win."