Murdoch’s opens in Polson
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POLSON — What’s not to love about a store that encourages a shopper to bring friendly dogs to the store, and posts goofy farm jokes on its website?
Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply is this store. The store opened in Polson March 27 at 170 Heritage Lane, in the building previously occupied by Walmart.
In its jeans “deck” and around the store, Murdoch’s stocks about 20,000 pairs of jeans. Murdoch’s also carries agricultural supplies and fencing, animal health and feed, tools, automotive, pet, footwear, clothing, hardware, lawn and garden, tack, gifts and toys.
“It’s a western-themed store with down to earth products,” said Mark Robitaille, assistant store manager.
Many area residents were interested in working for Murdoch’s.
“We interviewed about 200 people at the KwaTaqNuk,” Robitaille said.
Manager Bob Burton said the management team spent two 15-hour days talking to people during the interview process. Approximately 33 employees were hired.
“We were looking for knowledge, energy and being a team player,” Burton said.
“We hired a great group of people. Murdoch’s is a pretty family oriented business,” Robitaille added.
“Now it’s training, training, training,” Burton said, since the story carries so many different items that it’s like 10 stores rolled into one.
A construction crew had revamped the building over the winter, but it took about two weeks to install shelving and stock the store with merchandise.
The area response to Murdoch’s has been great, Robitaille said. Burton agreed and said they have received many positive comments on hiring locally.
Customers have told Murdoch employees they’ve been waiting for the Polson store to open so they don’t have to go to Missoula or Kalispell.
Judy and Ken Robson, seasonal residents on Finley Point, were making their first trip to Murdoch’s on April 6 and were impressed by the brightness and openness of the store and how well decorated it is.
“For a store that’s only been open two weeks, it’s quite well stocked,” Ken said.
A trio of ladies shopping said the new Murdoch’s is great, but they need one in their town of Billings.
Murdoch’s began in 1994, when John Murdoch opened the first store in Bozeman as “Big R” with five employees and 18 parking spots. Ten years later Murdoch changed the business’ name to Murdoch’s. The first store has expanded to more than 25 stores in Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado.
While Robitaille couldn’t reveal the exact grand opening celebration scheduled for the Polson store, he did say Murdoch’s will be having a 20th anniversary sale from April 8 through April 15. A barbecue is planned for Saturday, April 12, with 4-H kids selling 25-cent burgers and soda pop.
