A Sioux City native, Kempter came to Fort Dodge from the Webster City store earlier this year. He’s been with Bomgaars about seven years, and appreciates that local, family focus for this independent retailer.

“We like to source things made in the Midwest,” Kempter said. “Bomgaars is based out of Sioux City, and we have great relationships with a lot of vendors there. Jolly Time Pop Corn, Palmer Candy Company, which is where Twin Bings come from, those are all from Sioux City.”

Bulk candy, the kind one doesn’t find just anywhere anymore, is just one of the perks inside the store, according to Kempter. Bomgaars built its reputation as a farm store, but it’s really much more today.

“If you’re looking for a bolt, or you’re looking for a coat, we’re probably going to have it,” he said. “We just have a real wide breadth of products.”

Kempter earned his degree in business management from Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. He joined Bomgaars as a management trainee and worked at three stores around the Sioux City area early in his career. His first store to manage was in Canton, S.D., before moving to Webster City and now the Fort Dodge store. He and his wife have two young daughters and enjoy making central Iowa their home.

“It’s exciting to be here, and it’s a good opportunity to grow personally and professionally,” Kempter said.

From 4-H kids coming in to buy chicks to raise, farmers looking for parts, or women looking for everything, every day is a little different for this retailer.

For farmers, fluids, lubricants, grease and more are important supplies that Bomgaars offers. Clothing is in stock, but not just for farmers, Kempter said. The store also carries clothing for kids and women, including all types of footwear. From work boots to jewelry, trailer tires to greeting cards, it’s a variety that is not easily rivaled at other stores.

“Carhartt has a very big footprint in all of our stores,” Kempter said. “DeWalt tools are another really important brand for us.”

As the holiday season approaches, look for Bomgaars to ramp up its supply of toys, including a huge selection of farm toys.

“If you have a child who wants a farm toy that looks like Grandpa’s tractor, we’ve probably got it,” Kempter said.

Lawn and Garden is another popular department at Bomgaars. As home canning increased during the pandemic, canning supplies became hard to find. That’s where Bomgaars came in and worked hard to increase the availability of supplies for home canners.

“Our buying team from Sioux City went out and got a lot from other suppliers,” he said. “We have a really good supply.”

That variety keeps things interesting for Kempter and the approximately 40 employees at the Fort Dodge store.

“It’s something different every day, helping people solve problems, find what they need, that’s what I enjoy,” he said. “There’s always a new challenge, a new opportunity to learn something.”

Bomgaars has 107 brick and mortar stores in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho.

Local hours in Fort Dodge are 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

And if you want to find some of those rare farm toys, Bomgaars will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.