Bomgaars
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (farm and ranch supplies) |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Founder | William Bomgaars |
| Headquarters | Sioux City , United States |
Area served | Midwest, High Plains, Rockies (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Texas) |
Key people | Bomgaars family (management) |
| Products | Farm and ranch supplies |
| Website | www |
Bomgaars Supply Inc., commonly known as Bomgaars, is a retail chain specializing in farm and ranch supplies, with its headquarters located in Sioux City, Iowa. The company operates across the Midwest, High Plains, and Rockies regions, maintaining stores in states such as Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas. The Bomgaars family continues to manage the enterprise.
History
At age 18, founder William Bomgaars launched his career in retail by managing a general store serving rural communities in Middleburg, Iowa. Following several roles in sales, he established his own venture in Sioux City in 1931, securing $125 to invest in stock and a Ford Model A vehicle. Although the Great Depression posed challenges, by 1934 the business had achieved sufficient stability to support consistent meals.
In early 1944, the operation transitioned from Bill's residence to a small downtown Sioux City storefront at 819 Pearl Street, staffed by Bill alongside his sister Ann and brother Gerald. After flood damage later that year, the company relocated in 1945 to 611 Pearl Street, concentrating primarily on tires and repair supplies. By 1946, Bomgaars became an authorized jobber for NAPA Auto Parts and expanded its sales personnel.
Harold Bomgaars, Bill’s son, joined the company full-time in 1947 after completing his studies at the University of Iowa. The business entered the farm fleet discount market in 1952 through participation in the Mid-States buying group, which led to an enlarged product range and a move to more spacious facilities at 204 Fourth Street by 1955.
The first branch store opened in Yankton, South Dakota, in 1956. By 2001, Bomgaars operated fifteen locations and nearly doubled its footprint by acquiring thirteen former Country General outlets following that chain's bankruptcy. Additional growth came with purchases of five Shoppers Supply stores in Iowa (2012), twelve former ALCO Stores sites (2015), and thirteen ex-Shopko locations (2019), enabling entry into new regions.
In October 2022, Bomgaars expanded significantly by acquiring seventy-three Orscheln Farm & Home stores along with Orscheln’s distribution center in Moberly, Missouri. This acquisition was part of Tractor Supply Company's acquisition of Orscheln and elevated Bomgaars to the position of the second-largest farm retailer nationwide.
Distribution centers supporting Bomgaars operations are situated in Sioux City, Iowa, and Gering, Nebraska.