LAKEPORT, Calif. — The former Kmart building is about to spring back to life as retailers prepare to open new stores there.

This week, Tractor Supply Co. will open its second store in Lake County in a portion of the old Kmart building, located at 2023 Main St. in Lakeport.

The grand opening will take place from Thursday, May 16, to Sunday, May 19, and will include bargains and daily giveaways, the company reported.

The 85-year-old Brentwood, Tennessee-based company opened its first Lake County store in Clearlake in July of 2018 in the remodeled building that formerly had housed Ray’s Food Place.

As of March 30, Tractor Supply had 2,233 stores in 49 states.

Billed as the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, Tractor Supply will offer a lawn and garden center in what had been the Kmart garden center and also have a wide variety of other items, including tools, food and supplies for pets and livestock, a pet wash station, clothing, barbecues and home goods.

“At Tractor Supply, we are passionate about serving the needs of those who enjoy the Out Here lifestyle. Homeowners, livestock and pet owners, gardeners, hobby farmers, ranchers, tradesmen and others rely on Tractor Supply for a wide assortment of products,” said Toni Hernandez, district manager over the Lakeport Tractor Supply store. “We’re excited to call Lakeport home and serve the community with the essentials you need to live life on your own terms. We’re proud to hire our customers as Team Members. As experts in the lifestyle, they bring more value to our customers with every interaction.”

Still more retail is set to come to the building this year. A new Marshalls department store will be located at the opposite end of the building. The company offers items including home décor, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, accessories and gifts.

On Tuesday, Marshalls confirmed to Lake County News that its new Lakeport store will be open later in the summer, but the company did not give an exact date for the opening.

A third space remains available in the remodeled building.

Victor Fernandez, associate planner for the Lakeport Community Development Department, told Lake County News that the city hasn’t gotten word yet of a third tenant.

Fernandez said that the city is hoping that once Tractor Supply and Marshalls are up and running, “it will attract a third tenant quicker.”

Kmart had been a major retail presence in the city of Lakeport — and a major source of sales tax for city government — from the early 1990s until its closure at the end of 2019.

The once-mighty retail giant has been closing stores nationwide in recent years as online shopping has gained in scope and availability.

Lakeport’s store had remained busy but still ended up being selected for closure, despite reports that it had been one of the top 25 performing Kmart stores in the United States.

In the 1990s, the chain peaked at more than 2,000 stores. Today, there are reportedly only two Kmart stores left in the mainland United States.

Assisting the city of Lakeport with attracting new retailers is The Retail Coach, which has offices in Texas and Mississippi.

The Lakeport City Council approved the city’s first contract with the company, for $30,000, in July of 2019, months before the Kmart closure became public.

In February 2021, the council voted to extend the contract, and last week approved another contract renewal, with a maximum amount of $81,000 with the firm.

The Lakeport Tractor Supply store will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.