-Farm News photo by Lori Berglund
Joel Kempter is the new store manager at Bomgaars in Fort Dodge.

Family owned, founded in Iowa, and serving the Midwest, often with products made right here, that’s the mission for Bomgaars, according to new Fort Dodge Store Manager Joel Kempter.

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 centrral Iowa