‘Heart-breaking decision.’ After 100 years, Tri-Cities store is closing

One of the Tri-Cities’ oldest businesses is ending 100 years of sales and service to farmers and homeowners Monday.

On Sunday fourth-generation owner Chris Ingersoll said that Farmers Exchange, a farm and garden store in downtown Kennewick, Wash., has “faced increasingly difficult economic conditions.”

“After careful consideration, we have made the heartbreaking decision to close our doors,” he said in an announcement.

The store at 215 W. Canal Drive opened in 1924, originally serving mostly farmers.

But in recent years many of its customers are homeowners coming to the store to buy plants from its nursery; equipment like mowers and chainsaws from its lawn and garden center; and dog and cat food from its feed department.

The store has prided itself on quality and unparalleled customer service.

Most customers remember it under the leadership of Ken Silliman, who joined his father, E.A. Silliman, and brother at the store in 1953.

He maintained a desk at Farmers Exchange until his death at the age of 89 in 2021.

Ken Silliman sold the store to the third generation, his son, Keith Silliman, in 1997, who sold to his nephew Ingersoll in 2021.

“As we reflect on our 100-year history, we are profoundly grateful for the trust and support of the Kennewick community,” Ingersoll said in the announcement of the story closing. “While this decision is necessary, it is nonetheless a deeply somber moment for all of us at Farmers Exchange.”

The business posted on its Facebook page that it would contact customers with mowers in its service center to arrange for their return.

It plans to also post information on its Facebook page about plans to sell its current inventory.

Customers with pending orders or repairs can call Farmers Exchange at 509-586-3101.