Columbia Tractor sold to Papé Machinery, Four Lakes store to operate as company regional headquarters

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

Regional farm equipment dealer Columbia Tractor has been sold to Papé Machinery.

The five Columbia Tractor stores in Eastern Washington and north Idaho, including the Four Lakes location opened in September, will become Papé stores. The acquisition marks Papé's return to farm equipment sales, and the former Columbia Tractor stores will continue to sell and service farm equipment.

The sale closed Oct. 28.

“All the dotted lines are signed, it's just going through that little transition period,” said regional manager Darrell Moseley.

Moseley—who previously managed the five Columbia Tractor stores in Tekoa, Four Lakes, Bonners Ferry, Ponderay and Moscow—said he couldn't disclose the amount of the sale, but that Columbia Tractor owner Bill Felsted decided to take on other ventures.

“The right opportunity came along at the right time,” Moseley said.

Just two months after the Four Lakes location opened in the former Bonanza Ford building at 10010 South SR 904, temporary Papé signs are up on the building.

Moseley said farm equipment sales and service will continue at all five stores, and the mission of the Four Lakes location remains the same.

“Moving the Spokane store to the Four Lakes area, the whole idea was to get closer to the farmers, and we have,” he said. “We've seen a whole new clientele, from a hobby farmer all the way to a full-sized 10,000-acre farm.”

The new Papé store will offer the previous Columbia Tractor brands, including John Deere, Polaris and Stihl. The store will eventually expand its product offerings to include Papé brands like Honda.

The biggest change, Moseley said, is making Four Lakes the headquarters for Papé's new farm stores. That means minor renovation to build offices in the 17,900 square foot building.

Hours and contact information for Four Lakes remains the same.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected]