COEUR d'ALENE - The corporate owner of Big R Stores, headquartered in Great Falls, Mont., acquired the former D & B Farm and Home Stores in Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston.

After 17 years, D & B Farm and Home owners Larry and Carroll Parrot recognized they were nearing retirement, and proactively sought an opportunity to sell their business as part of a planned exit strategy.

Wayne Wike, co-owner of Big R Stores, said Friday in a press release, "Big R Stores will continue providing for Idaho's western lifestyle, supplying almost anything to help you work hard, play hard and save money."

Wike said he's pleased to bring two additional Big R Stores to the Idaho market, adding, "This has been an exciting, substantial addition for our company."

The stores opened as Big R's last month. The Coeur d'Alene store has 28,000 square feet of floor space and 18 employees.

Wike said, "We believe we work hard to earn our customers' loyalty in all our store locations, and we are looking forward to bringing a broad array of great products and quality services to the people of Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston."

Big R Stores sells products focused on farm and ranch needs, like batteries, replacement parts for agricultural equipment, fencing and livestock equipment.

In recent years it has expanded its offerings to include product and service lines for sporting goods, automotive, clothing, tools, pet and equine needs, paint, lawn and garden, heating, hardware, tools, art, and jewelry.

Big R Stores, part of CSWW Inc., began in 1997 with its headquarters in Great Falls.

It currently has nine stores, with two in Montana, four in Washington, and three in Idaho.

Store hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

To maintain employee knowledge and familiarity with the local community, Big R has retained the 31 associates employed between the Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston store locations.

Big R will add to these store teams and hire accordingly depending on its level of business. Potential job seekers can work through their local job service office.

Individuals can check up-to-date developments, announcements and any further information on the Big R website at www.bigrstore.com.