Rural King
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (farm supply) |
| Founded | June 5, 1960 in Mattoon, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Kermit Speer, Keith Beaird |
| Headquarters | Mattoon , United States |
Area served | Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama |
Key people | Gary Melvin (part-owner), Bruce Speer (corporate responsibilities) |
| Products | Work apparel and boots; horse and pet supplies; live chicks and rabbits; hunting and fishing gear; firearms and ammunition; tractor and trailer parts; lawn and garden products; irrigation and sprinkler equipment; power tools; fencing materials; welding and pump accessories; riding mowers; agricultural chemicals; seasonal toys |
Rural King Supply operates as a farm supply retailer headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois, United States. Established in 1960, by 2024 it manages a network of 135 outlets spanning Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Alabama. Besides its physical locations, the company maintains an e-commerce platform along with a dedicated online firearms store.
History
Rural King Supply was created on June 5, 1960, by Kermit Speer and Keith Beaird in Mattoon. The initial retail space consisted of a 7,200-square-foot repurposed implement building staffed by the founders plus two employees. Growth ensued with expansions completed in 1963 and 1970, the construction of a warehouse in 1966, and the inauguration of a new facility in 1976.
In 1999, the company launched a new complex near its original site, featuring a 210,000-square-foot store, warehouse, and corporate headquarters; the former premises were donated to Catholic Charities. Between 2003 and 2010, nearly 300,000 additional square feet were added through warehouse enlargements.
The regional footprint increased with the opening of a second outlet in Paris, Illinois (1962), followed by stores in Vandalia (1966) and Litchfield (1982). Family participation intensified when Gary Melvin, Speer’s nephew, became a part-owner in 1979, and Bruce Speer joined the company in 1982, eventually taking on corporate responsibilities related to procurement and growth.
By December 2015, Rural King achieved over $1 billion in annual sales for the first time. In 2017, it acquired Cross County Mall in Mattoon and moved its store into the former Sears location in January 2019 to boost mall visitor numbers; the previous store location was converted into a distribution center while headquarters expanded into that area.
In 2022, Rural King secured ownership of the former JCPenney anchor spot at Country Club Mall in Cumberland, Maryland. Construction commenced in early 2025 for its inaugural Maryland outlet, planned to open by October that year.
Products
Rural King’s inventory encompasses an extensive selection including work apparel and boots; supplies for horses and pets; live chicks and rabbits; hunting and fishing gear; firearms and ammunition; parts for tractors and trailers; lawn and garden products; irrigation and sprinkler equipment; power tools; fencing materials; welding and pump accessories; riding mowers; and agricultural chemicals. Seasonal toy offerings are also available. A notable customer experience feature is complimentary coffee and popcorn provided at stores.