Small Town News

From trucks to tractors: Former Four Lakes auto mall opens as John Deere store

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An agricultural equipment dealership is preparing for a late summer grand opening in the former Bonanza Ford building just south of Interstate 90 in Four Lakes.

Moscow, Idaho-based Columbia Tractor will move from its current Spokane location at 4009 E. Francis to the remodeled 17, 900-square-foot building, which sits on 4.5 acres at 10010 S. SR 904. The property has been empty since 2008 and was purchased by Columbia for $1.6 million this past February. Cheney real estate investor James Parker paid American West Bank $1 million for the property last April, according to the Spokane Journal of Business.

Jason Jones, who has managed Columbia's Spokane store since it

bought out Mack's Outdoor in 2005, said the West Plains dealership will be a "John Deere Place," a customer-friendly retail concept that includes a product shop and a full line of agricultural equipment, from residential mowers to full-sized tractors.

In Spokane, Columbia has historically served commercial and entry-level farmers - those with 50 acres or less. Jones said the new location's larger showroom, maintenance shop and easy access to 1-90 will allow better service of all customers, including large-scale farmers on the West Plains.

Jones said the company hopes to take advantage of a large boardroom at the new location for customer clinics as well as presentations by community organizations. The new store will also be a Polaris dealer and will stock a line of Stihl outdoor power equipment, Jones

said, adding that he'll be able to quickly order parts and merchandise from the regional network of Columbia dealerships.

"If we don't have something we can get it fast," he said.

All 14 employees now at the Spokane store will move to the new location, and Jones hopes to hire at least a couple more people within a few months of opening sometime in July or August.

"We've got some good feedback so far from people in the Cheney and Four Lakes area," Jones said. "We're excited."

Columbia Tractor, Inc. has been serving the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho since 1946, according to the company website. Along with the Spokane and Moscow locations Columbia operates stores in Tekoa, Wash., Ponderay, Idaho and Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Ryan Lancaster can be reached at ryan@cheneyfreepress.com.



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© 2011 Cheney Free Press Cheney, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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