A Bit of History:

“Before Carlos Hidalgo Alvarez purchased the property it was home to the well-known Frontier Museum(pictured below) established by John Bianchi in 1982. The Western-themed museum 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.

In the 1980’s Temecula was young and at an early stage of development, so naturally, there weren’t many options for local clothing and or camping goods for people in the area, one of Carlos’ fields of experience. Through his eyes, this opportunity held great potential for new growth and a chance to impact a new community in need. After weighing the pros and cons of opening a new store, he decided to purchase and convert the then Frontier Museum into The Rancho Army-Navy Store in 1987. Carlos couldn’t open the store all on his own, so thankfully, he had a great reputation for his sound business acumen and ability to foster positive working relationships with everyone. The lot and building were originally designed to house the Frontier Museum, a historic Bianchi-built building that encaptured Western lifestyle and Cowboy culture. A few years later, the store had established itself as a One-Stop place to shop in the heart of Temecula for outdoor enthusiasts and the everyday person.

In today’s market, we find ourselves as one of the last standing stores that aim and focus on exceptional customer service. At the Rancho Army-Navy Store, 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 Rancho Army Navy Store is located at 27999 Jefferson Avenue in Temecula and can be seen from Interstate 15 near the Rancho California Road exit (look for the American flag).”