North 40 Outfitters

Today's North Idaho excursion included a visit to a rather different sort of store describing itself as an "outfitter." I have written about Cabela's before, and if they are a super-sized hunting and fishing store, North 40 Outfitters is a super-sized feed and farm store. If you are a homesteader, this kind of store is your friend.

Panorama of the exterior facade

There is everything here. Pet food, clothing, hardware, plumbing, fence panels, tack, wood splitters, landscaping supplies, and anything else under the sun for a farm or ranch is in this building.

When I lived in Coeur d'Alene, ID several years ago, this store was smaller and had a different name. When bought out by North 40, it grew considerably. If memory serves, the photos below are taken from the southern extent of the old building looking North, and then from there looking South into the addition that probably tripled the square footage.

Old store

new addition

Under its previous ownership, I purchased winter weather work gear, work gloves, and other clothing here. Many other family members have bought tools and supplies here over the years too. While brand name clothing with prominent logos is as overpriced here as at Cabela's, the basics are priced well.

The expansion has added a nice hardware section with fasteners and more suited to building barns, sheds, and other farm structures. My local Ace Hardware doesn't cover this.

If you are starting out or expanding your own farm, you probably already know where to find your own local equivalent. If you are considering getting started, learn where your local supplier is located. Remember, Amazon probably doesn't have everything you need.