Blain's Farm and Fleet

Blain's Farm & Fleet is a regional chain of 36 retail stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. The stores sell tires, agricultural supplies and equipment, hunting and fishing equipment and licenses, kitchen appliances, housewares, automotive goods, men's & women's clothing, household hardware, lawn and garden supplies, outdoor power tools, pumps and generators, paint, pet supplies, candy, sporting goods, tools and toys.

History

The company was founded in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1955 by brothers W. C. "Claude" Blain and N. B. "Bert" Blain. Originally, Wisconsin fair trade laws required customers be issued membership cards to be sold discounted merchandise. A change in the law eliminated the need for these cards, making Blain's Farm and Fleet one of the nations first discount retailers. Each retail store is part of Farm and Fleet Stores which operate in four divisions by region, while the distribution is handled by a separate entity, Blain Supply Company. The Blain family still owns the business as a private closely held corporation. It consists of Blain's Farm and Fleet (retail outlets) and Blain Supply Inc. (holding company and distribution). It is primarily owned by CEO/President Jane Blain Gilbertson since her brother, Robert, retired in 2014. The chain has one distribution center in Janesville, Wisconsin.