April 24, 2023 at 11:50 a.m.
CEO: 'We have talked about this location for many, many years'
Blain's Farm and Fleet open for business
CEO: 'We have talked about this location for many, many years'
"We have talked about this location for many, many years," Blain Gilbertson said, noting that her father and uncle, co-founders of the Janesville-based company, always wanted to build a modern general store in this part of the Northwoods.
"We talked for many years about wouldn't it be great to be able to build up here and we've watched this community and we've seen how you're growing and yet how you care about the community, how you're doing the right things up here," she said. "It just felt like a place that we could be a part of. We wanted to make this a home."
As she did during last summer's groundbreaking ceremony for the 84,000 square foot store at 1601 E. Timber Drive, Blain Gilbertson also noted that the company, which has been in business since 1955, has never closed a retail location.
"There are not to many retail organizations out there that can say that," she added.
Blain Gilbertson went on to praise the staff that has been hired to run the store.
"We talk about our associates as an extension of our family," she said, noting that there were plenty people in this area who were anxious to come to work for Blain's. "We found amazing people up here. Really, truly, I'm not just saying that. I've gotten to meet them over the last few weeks. They came in ready to work, smiling and getting to know each other. Some, of course, knew each other before."
Blain Gilbertson thanked the contractors, engineers and everyone who was involved in building the store and getting it ready to open.
She also singled out the City of Rhinelander the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce for their support.
"Just a huge thank you to the community," she added. "We are really honored to be here."
Chamber CEO Lauren Sackett and Rhinelander Mayor Kris Hanus offered their congratulations and best wishes.
Sackett noted that over 100 jobs were created as a result of Blain's decision to come to Rhinelander.
"We really want to wish you guys the best and we're looking forward to future partnerships and collaborations and growth together," she said.
Hanus said the new store is another example of positive growth in the Hodag city.
"We're gonna have a great partner here in our city, we're going to have tons of new jobs," he said. "This is showing how the City of Rhinelander is growing, developing and providing great service to the community, the city and the region."
Wednesday's event also featured remarks from store manager Renee Uphill and a rendition of the national anthem by the Shodags.
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