COLUMBUS — The new Columbus Tractor Supply store is set to open the first part of June, said Grace Stewart, GS&F Advertising Public Relations representative for Tractor Supply. Stewart said they plan to hire approximately 12 to 15 people.

“We’re not just building a store, we’re building a team that understands the needs of the Columbus community,” said District Manager Bryan Taylor. “At Tractor Supply, we carry products that support the lifestyle our customers lead, the land they own and the animals in their care, so whether you are someone who raises horses and pets, runs a hobby farm or just enjoys the rural lifestyle, we’ll be there to make sure you have all the tools you need.”

The store is going into the old BiLo Grocery location at 651 W. Mills St., off Highway 108. Representatives from Tractor Supply applied for zoning compliance permits last November, and the company started construction in March.

The contractor, W.R. Newman and Associates, is remodeling the old building into a 30,584 square foot retail space with a sales floor, external support area and a pet wash station.

The store will sell Tractor Supply’s typical line of workwear and boots, tractor and trailer parts, lawn and garden supplies, sprinkler and irrigation parts, power tools, fencing, welding and pump supplies, riding mowers, and more. They will also have equine and livestock feeds, pet supplies and food, and pet wash bays and grooming stations where pet owners care for their own pets.

According to Stewart, Tractor Supply also supports pet adoption initiatives, 4-H and FFA, county fairs and livestock shows.

The new store’s manager is Thomas Belshaw. Store hours will be 8 a.m. to 9:p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. For hiring information, visit www.TractorSupply.com/Jobs.

The store plans a possible soft opening near the end of May, depending on construction schedules. Their four-day grand opening will be in early June, if construction is complete.

For more information about Tractor Supply, visit www.tractorsupply.com.