Tractor Supply Co.
Tractor Supply Co. offers much more than tractor parts Despite the name, they don’t sell tractors. But they do sell parts to fix tractors, along with a long list of other products ranging from everything needed to run a farm and care for pets and livestock to sporting goods, hardware, lawn and garden items, clothing and home decor. Tractor Supply Co. has been operating for about 80 years and has just over 1,600 stores nationwide. The brand is familiar to many in the United States, but it’s fairly new to Utah, with its first store opening in the state about two and a half years ago. There are now 15 Tractor Supply Co. stores in Utah including the Saratoga Springs location at 1303 N. Exchange Drive that opened in June of 2016. The company is particularly popular for its animal feed - whether for cats, dogs, pigeons, chinchillas, rodents, horses, cows, pigs or chickens. They carry the best feed available on the market, said Henry Lucke, manager of the Saratoga Springs Tractor Supply Co. store. “That’s what we’re known for, is our feed. But we’re so much more than a feed store,” Lucke said. Whether one is in the market for a safe, a compressor or seasonal decor, they’ll find it at Tractor Supply Co. Henry helped open the Tractor Supply Co. store in Perry, Utah, then opened and ran the store in Salem before opening and managing the Saratoga Springs store. He likes the fun working environment at the stores and has noted that each store is unique. For example, the Saratoga Springs store is more of a commuter store because its mornings and evenings are very busy as commuters stop to shop. There’s also a big interest in the Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain area in keeping chickens and ducks, and many people come into get feed for those animals, he said. From its beginning, the Saratoga Springs store has been involved in its community. It joined the Lehi Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored the Pony Express
Days celebration in 2016, something it will do again this year. Tractor Supply Co. sponsors the national FFA convention each year, and the Saratoga Springs store follows suit by partnering with local FFA groups. FFA students have to accomplish certain things outside of school and Lucke said his store is there to help them. Students have set up petting zoos in the Saratoga Springs store’s parking lot as well as informational booths. “If you go into FFA, you have to be dedicated. That’s where we come in. We can help,” Henry said, adding that he currently has three FFA students working on his staff. Henry was recently honored for his support of FFA programs at the Utah State FFA Convention when he was presented with a Utah State FFA Honorary Degree. The Saratoga Springs store is also very involved with 4-H, allowing clubs to use the store’s parking lot for club events. For members of the community, the store welcomes animals and even hosts special picture days on Halloween and near Christmas when animal owners can bring their pets in and have their picture taken for free. Dogs that are brought in know about the treats awaiting them at the registers and children often bring in their pets to introduce them to Tractor Supply Co. employees. “They want to show off what they’re proud of. And that’s kind of what we’re about, is that enthusiasm of Tractor Supply. They know us,” Henry said. “It becomes the kids’ favorite store and the parents’ favorite store too.” 23