Update 4/28/21 Although not a lot has changed from my last update, most of the employees are friendly; some are a little more helpful than others. Wilco has a decent size lawn and garden area, and this time of year, you can often find some charming water features and bird baths.
This time of the year is also great for baby chicks; Wilco offers a good variety of different breeds, and what I saw a good portion of them were egg layers. I'll admit every time I'm in that store, I have to ooh and aah over how cute and cuddly looking they are!
In my prior review, I also failed to mention their pet grooming area; I haven't personally used it for my pets, but what I've read certainly reminds me of a "spa" for your furry friends, manni - peddies, and so much more!
And of course, being a farm store offers a healthy variety of farming and ranching items, everything from putting together electric fences to boot wraps for your horses. Not only do they offer food for your indoor pets but also specialty food for your cows, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs, and we can't forget our little flying friends known as birds ;)
A few other items they offer are paint and painting supplies, grills, grilling supplies, small knick-knack items, jewelry, and snacks, juat to mention few things.
Honestly, there is something for men, women, and children!
About Wilcox Covid safety practices, staff wear mask, there are safety dividers at the checkouts; what I have read is that the employees also do temperature checks; I can not confirm or deny that, assuming they handle that once they come in for work, as far as disinfecting goes, I personally have not seen it done. Still, it is possible they randomly clean throughout the day.
My biggest qualm is trying to juggle items to purchases as there is no counter space to set your things on, and if memory serves me correctly, we held up the items so they could scan them, which means juggling a purse, store items, credit card, etc. is challenging. You probably think, why didn't they get a shopping cart? We didn't see one, or we would have; every time we have gone in there, we have never seen carts or hand baskets. So after I got home, I called Wilco; apparently, there are hand baskets inside but not directly within sight; the shopping carts are located outside the store closer to the garden area, which would explain why I have never found them inside, lol. Overall, Wilco is an interesting store, and we enjoy looking through this store!
The first Wilco store dates back to the 1930s, right out of our neighboring state of Oregon. It is considered a farmer-owned cooperative that now operates 20 plus retail farm stores throughout Oregon and western Washington. Although Wilco, not being considered a small business, does employ local people and has managed to stay on the west coast, many of them right here in Washington State.
Wilco's location is in east Bremerton 4330 Wheaton Way in the old Lowes building. They are neighbors and share an extensive parking area with Planet Fitness, Shari's Cafe & Pies, and Aceitunos Mexican food. Across Riddell Road, you'll find Fred Meyers shopping and several other smaller businesses.
"Shop, eat, and enjoy all things local, and thank you for continuing to support our local businesses and jobs." ----------- Employees are friendly and very helpful. The store has a variety of items ranging from farm, garden items to pet food, clothing, shoes & jewelry and a number of tools, hardware, paints and a lot more. They even had a nice holiday/seasonal area.
