RANTOUL — Birkey's Farm Store has acquired an agricultural equipment dealership in north central Illinois, bringing the company's total number of stores to 12.

Birkey's, a Case IH dealer, signed an agreement with brothers Bill Read, Bob Read and Jerry Read to acquire Read Bros. Inc. in Henry, a town between Peoria and La Salle-Peru.

The store will close on Friday, Aug. 10, and then reopen on Monday, Aug. 13, as a Birkey's store.

"It's a nice strategic move for us," said CEO Ron Birkey. Henry is located in the middle of Birkey's sales territory and the store will be one of the largest ones.

Jerry Read will continue to be involved in the business as a lead salesman, Birkey said.

Read Bros., originally an International Harvester dealership, has been in business since 1957 and was founded by Francis Read and his brother, Edgar Read.

Birkey's was founded in 1954 in Fisher and has locations in Annawan, Bloomington, Galesburg, Gibson City, Hoopeston, Macomb, Oakland, Polo, Prophetstown and Urbana. There also is a store in Williamsport, Ind.

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