MERAUX, LA – The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation and the St. Bernard Parish Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) are welcoming a new Tractor Supply Co. store to St. Bernard Parish.
Tractor Supply Co., the largest rural lifestyle retail store in the U.S., has broken ground on a site in Meraux, at 2505 Archbishop Hannan Blvd., for a store that will open later this fall. The property was owned by the Meraux Foundation and identified as an ideal location for the new retail store through a site selection program managed by SBEDF, reps said.
"We are very happy to welcome Tractor Supply Co. to St. Bernard Parish,” said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. “As a prominent retailer, the new Tractor Supply store will be a remarkable asset in the parish, providing jobs and attracting commerce that will grow the parish’s economy.”
Tractor Supply stores concentrate on providing recreational farmers, ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses, with the items they need to sustain their lifestyles, reps said. The company specializes in equine, livestock, pet and small animal products; hardware, truck, towing and tool products; seasonal products, including heating, lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys; work/recreational clothing and footwear; and maintenance products for agricultural and rural use.
The Meraux Tractor Supply store plans to hire 12-15 employees with firsthand knowledge and expertise in caring for pets, livestock, and land.
“We’re not just building a store, we’re building a team that understands the needs of the Meraux community,” said Pete Perez, district anager. “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 or has pets, runs a farm or just enjoys the rural lifestyle, we’ll be there to make sure you have all the tools you need.”
“While Tractor Supply is a national chain and will attract customers from the Greater New Orleans area, its primary purpose will be to serve the St. Bernard community,” said Andrew Jacques, SBEDF executive director. “Attracting Tractor Supply will create jobs, improve quality of life, help our small businesses, and retain sales tax that would previously leak to other parishes.”
