Rancho Army Navy Store To Close Shop After 40 Years In Business

TEMECULA, CA—The Rancho Army Navy Store, which has served Temecula for almost 40 years, is shuttering, owner Adam Alvarez told Patch this week.

If you swing by the Temecula storefront, located at 27999 Jefferson Avenue, you may find the owners on the premises. If you're lucky, they'll let you inside. If not, you can see the store closure sign taped to the window that reads:

"The time has finally presented itself to close and end the forty years of business. We will be opening in a short while to do a final liquidation sale. Thanks for all the support."

Established in 1987, the Rancho Army Navy Store was known for its large selection of workwear, military surplus and replica items, camping gear and supplies, uniforms, boots, ammo cans, emergency preparedness supplies, tactical equipment, and everyday clothing. They also stocked local Girl and Boy Scout troops with awards, merit badge books, uniforms, guidebooks, and more.

Alvarez said the family is now deciding which trail to take for the store's uncertain future. Stock has been dwindling, and the risks of future tariffs will just increase prices for future customers. They do own the location and have since 1987, he said, and are considering what to do with the property.

A bit of family history is shared on their website.

"Before Carlos Hidalgo Alvarez purchased the property, it was home to the well-known Frontier Museum, established by John Bianchi in 1982," the website reads. The Western-themed museum, owned by John Bianchi of Bianchi (gun leather) International, attracted people from all over the world to see the unique collection of holsters, guns, and other Western goods that John Bianchi had accumulated over the years." They later converted the museum into today's Rancho Army Navy Store, making it a "one-stop-shop" for outdoor enthusiasts.

This was one of the last standing stores of its kind, the website says.

"You can feel the pulse of our foundation as we have not waivered off of our target to deliver the same values and principles that have made us shine bright since day one. We have served generations of family members and see this business as an integral part of this ever-changing community of Temecula and the Inland Valley."

The family has maintained that same core mission for quite some time, Alvarez said, "investing in the store and keeping it afloat, but we couldn't maintain the traction for the long term."

"This is a sign of the times. We used to bank on our older population, but now everyone is pretty comfortable ordering online." Online sales are something the Rancho Army Navy Store has declined to engage in, opting instead for in-person interaction with customers.

"We're still deciding whether to liquidate. We will share that information on our Google listing and Facebook if and when we decide to have a blowout liquidation sale.

"We hope we were able to establish good memories with things people have bought here," Alvarez said, and those memories are cropping up on social media pages.

"We have spent so much time in this store getting camping gear and Boy Scout/Girl Scout patches sewn on vests over the past 27 years. They will be dearly missed!" one resident said.

Another added: "Wow, that hurts. They have been there forever and used to spend hours looking through all their stuff. They sold everything you needed."

Several people agreed, with one woman saying, "That is the place where I got my first pepper spray when I turned 13 since I had to walk home from school."

A final commenter mentioned being employed by the store in the 90s.

"I worked there for six months or so when I was 18 back in ‘90. I remember seeing some of my TVHS classmates get their volunteer firefighter clothes when they were starting their careers."

As they reached out to their followers, Alvarez wrote on Facebook, "this was not an easy decision for us to make, but it was necessary. We thank everyone for your support over the years and wish you the best in your future endeavors."

Any final liquidation informationwill appear on their Facebook page.

Customers who have pending orders or gift cards can email armynavy@gmail.com or info@ranchoarmynavy.com.