Rural King Marks 65 Years of Supporting Rural Communities with Anniversary Celebrations
August 8th, 2025 2:13 PM
By: Newsworthy Staff
Rural King celebrates its 65th anniversary with special events and promotions, underscoring its commitment to serving rural communities across 14 states.

Rural King, recognized as America's largest privately owned farm and home retailer, is set to celebrate its 65th anniversary this August, highlighting its enduring commitment to rural communities. The celebration, scheduled from August 7 to August 20, will feature giveaways, deals, and community events, reflecting the company's deep roots and ongoing support for the rural lifestyle.
Founded in 1960 by farmers Kermit Speer and Keith Beaird, Rural King has expanded from a single store to over 140 locations across 14 states. The retailer is known for its customer-focused approach, offering free popcorn and coffee to shoppers, alongside a wide range of quality products at competitive prices. The anniversary event will include exclusive in-store promotions, complimentary hot dogs on Saturdays, weekend bucket sales, and sweepstakes giveaways, with special rewards for RK Rewards members.
Alex Melvin, owner and chairman of Rural King, shared insights into the company's humble beginnings and its growth into a trusted retailer. Melvin emphasized the founders' passion for serving the agricultural community and the company's ongoing dedication to supporting the rural lifestyle. Today, Rural King offers a diverse product assortment, including livestock feed, pet supplies, tools, hardware, apparel, and home goods, catering to the needs of farmers, families, and communities.
Steve Barbarick, president and CEO of Rural King, highlighted the company's recent expansion into over 20 new communities, attributing this growth to customer loyalty and the dedication of its associates. Barbarick reiterated Rural King's commitment to investing in its people, enhancing the customer experience, and remaining a reliable partner for rural America.
Beyond its retail operations, Rural King is deeply involved in community support through the RK Foundation for Rural America. The foundation collaborates with organizations like 4-H, FFA, and Habitat for Humanity, and has contributed over $1 million to Christian organizations nationwide in the past five years. The company's 65th anniversary also marks its evolution, with advancements in customer experience through mobile and self-checkout options, e-commerce expansion, and a growing presence in the Midwest and Southeast.
For more information on Rural King's 65th anniversary celebrations, visit https://www.ruralking.com.
Source Statement
This news article relied primarily on a press release disributed by citybiz. You can read the source press release here,
