Wilco Announces Plans to Open in Sonora, CA

WILCO PLANS TO OPEN THEIR SECOND CALIFORNIA STORE, EXPANDING THEIR RURAL LIFESTYLE BRAND IN SONORA.

Artist Rendering of Wilco Farm Store in Sonora, California. (Photo: Wilco)

MT. ANGEL, Ore., January 6, 2019 – Wilco, a farmer-owned cooperative, is announcing plans to open a new store in Sonora, CA later this year. This opening will mark the retailer’s second store in California and expands the specialty retailer’s footprint to 23 locations on the West Coast.

Committed to nurturing the passions of rural living families, the brand will occupy the former Orchard Supply Hardware space. Similar to that long-time California retailer, Wilco carries a wide range of hardware supplies alongside workwear, lawn, garden, livestock, and pet-related products and services. The retailer plans to employ a staff of 40 from the local community.

“We have been interested in adding Wilco Stores to California for some time. Both Petaluma and now Sonora are a great fit for what we do. Community, the outdoors, pets and agriculture matter there,” said Sam Bugarsky, Wilco CEO. “As a farmer-owned brand serving communities for over 50 years, the rich history of Sonora feels like a natural extension of the Wilco family.”

Wilco is known for their community involvement and contributes to over a thousand local events and organizations each year to help schools, equestrian teams, sports facilities, dog parks, community gardens and local organizations. The cooperative also continues to add sustainability programs such as their annual battery roundup, feed-bag recycling and a new recycling program for denim jeans.

Wilco is also committed to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders through their Youth Account program and contributions to organizations like 4H and FFA. They’ve now raised over $1.2 million with their FFA Forever program; including over $200,000 in 2019 for Oregon & Washington FFA. Their FFA Grant program has helped local chapters build greenhouses, barbeque trailers, and livestock pens, to name a few.

Wilco Farm Store Departments. (Photo: Wilco)

The Sonora Wilco store will offer extensive livestock supplies, fencing, tools, hardware, garden supplies, nursery quality plants, and a workwear & lifestyle clothing department featuring brands like Carhartt, Danner, Wrangler, and Ariat. Additionally, the retailer will include a large pet department with full-service dog grooming and wide selection of pet care and quality pet foods.

“Our goal is to deliver a great hardware offering similar to Orchard Supply Hardware while adding a selection of workwear and top-rated, farm-proven brands across all departments,” said Bugarsky. “In addition, we’re focused on delivering friendly, hands-on customer service and supporting the passions of the local communities where we operate. We can’t wait to contribute to the community.”

The Sonora store will be located in the former Orchard Supply Hardware building located at 750 E Mono Way, Sonora, CA 95370. To learn more about the Wilco Cooperative, visit www.wilco.coop or browse products online at www.farmstore.com.