The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for Rural King of Warsaw on Friday, March 25. The rural supply store, located at 3350 Lake City Highway, No. 9122, is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Those in the Warsaw area now have another option for buying items for a rural lifestyle.

Rural King is officially open for business. The store had a soft opening on Saturday, March 19, and has a grand opening set for Saturday, March 26.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting on Friday, March 25, for the store, which is located in the old Kmart building at 3350 Lake City Highway, No. 9122.

Rural King Support Manager Laster Boggs described to InkFreeNews what all the store carries.

“So anything to do with rural life, (you) can find it here and we are constantly adding new (items) all the time and getting feedback from our local customers as to what they would like to see and we try to provide it,” he said.

“We have a full supply of any farm-related feeds, pet feeds,” he added. “We actually have live chicks, bunnies for 4-H’ers, that’s a big thing coming up here real soon, and so we have those available for the folks that come in and buy those and raise them up to show.”

Customers can also find items for fishing and hunting, including a special firearms area, clothing and various types of equipment.

“I think we bring something that Warsaw’s looked for a long time and that is a full supply of farm-related stuff and all the material you would need,” said Boggs. “We actually have farm equipment that we finance here locally, tractors and things like that, so when it comes to rural supplies, we have it all here.”

“A lot of rural customers are going to be taken care of and they’ve been waiting on us to come,” said Rural King Manager Michele Scott.

Currently, the store employs 65 people, with Scott stating that plans are to hire about 30 more. Hours for the store are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

While they shop, people can enjoy free popcorn and coffee, a staple of Rural King.

If people come out to the grand opening Saturday, there will be more food available from vendors. Boggs also said there will be multiple giveaways, including “a full line of outdoor furniture.”

Another special event that Rural King will offer is Church Week, said Boggs. People can sign up their churches or other Christian organizations to have a percentage of sales donated to them during that week.

He also noted that Rural King supports the military and “4-H in a big way.” Boggs said the stores play a mix of soft country and contemporary Christian music.

“We’re a family-owned business … so we cater to the family,” he said.

A lineup of fishing poles in the store.

The store also sells chicks.