Stock+Field reopens in Rochelle

New name, full rebrand to be announced in coming weeks

Jeff Helfrich
Posted 7/8/21

Stock+Field reopened as a surprise in Rochelle on Wednesday after a change of ownership and being closed in recent months.

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Stock+Field reopens in Rochelle

New name, full rebrand to be announced in coming weeks

Posted

ROCHELLE — Stock+Field reopened as a surprise in Rochelle on Wednesday after a change of ownership and being closed in recent months. 

The R.P. Acquisition Corporation — a wholly owned subsidiary of R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. — purchased the Stock+Field assets out of bankruptcy court in April 2021 and has been working to reopen 22 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 

Based in Edwardsville, R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. is a family-owned retailer that operates 72 full-service hardware and building material stores throughout Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, and Iowa. 

A corporate representative of The R.P. Acquisition Corporation said the store’s doors won’t be closing again and in “the next couple of weeks” a new name and full rebrand will be announced and signage and logos at the store will be replaced. 

Last month, Stock+Field took suggestions online for the new name with the intention of announcing its choice this month. The corporate representative declined to reveal the name or any clues to what it might be on Wednesday. 

Stock+Field stores are in the process of building up their inventories after the ownership transition. 

“You’ll continue to see more and more inventory,” the corporate representative said. “Our various merchandise categories will continue to build. Brands like Carhartt, Stihl, Cub Cadet and Ariat, those brands see us as a brand new retailer. It takes awhile to get that inventory in. We think we’ve done good work on it so far.”

A sign at the store said new merchandise will be arriving daily and listed brands such as Red Wing Shoes, Under Armour, Columbia, Levi’s, Wrangler, Wolverine, Eddie Bauer and Lee. 

Assistant Rochelle Store Manager Brian Richert said the brands the current ownership offers have been received well by customers in the store. 

“We have better products,” Richert said. “That's the feedback we've heard from customers so far.”

Rochelle Store Manager Lindsey Collins said customers Wednesday were “pretty steady” and the store is still hiring, despite a “good amount” of previous employees returning. 

R.P. Acquisition Corporation’s representative said the priority over recent months has been getting the stores open. 

“We really are trying to save jobs,” the corporate representative said. “There may not be full inventory yet, but we can put people back to work.”

Another big priority for the new ownership group is wanting to hear from customers along with wanting to be involved in each local community. 

The corporate representative wanted customers to know that despite using the old name for now, things have changed in stores. 

“We’re not Stock+Field,” the corporate representative said. “We’re not the old ownership group. Inventory and merchandise will get better and better. The frustrations people have had in those stores in past years will be alleviated soon. 

“We want to express to new and old customers a sincere thank you. We know they’ve been frustrated. Thank you for being patient with us and giving us a try as we work through supply chain issues.”

New store hours at Stock+Field are Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.