HILO — Although initially expected to open this fall at Prince Kuhio Plaza, Tractor Supply Co. won’t open until late next year.
Tractor Supply Co. in January confirmed a projected fall 2019 opening for its new store, which is set to occupy a 39,525-square-foot space that previously housed Safeway until the grocery giant moved less than a mile away to a new location on Makaala Street in 2011.
A Tractor Supply Co. spokeswoman confirmed last week, however, that the official store opening has been pushed back to winter 2020.
No additional information or reason for the delay was provided.
However, Daniel Kea, general manager of Prince Kuhio Plaza, said earlier this month there have been delays in permitting.
According to its website, Tractor Supply Co., based in Brentwood, Tennessee, is the largest operator of “rural lifestyle” retail stores in America.
Founded in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business, Tractor Supply owns and operates more than 1,800 stores in 49 states and supplies “basic maintenance products to home, land, pet and animal owners.”
Customers can buy “everything except tractors,” the website states, including clothing, equine and pet supplies, tractor and trailer parts and accessories, lawn and garden supplies, sprinkler and irrigation parts, power tools, fencing, welding and pump supplies, riding lawn mowers and more.
The company also owns Del’s Feed and Farm Supply in Hilo.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.