08/11/2026
๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ-๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ญ
๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ.
For decades, the grocery store was about more than checking items off a shopping list. It was a place where neighbors caught up, employees knew customers by name and was built by local families that became part of the community's story. Today, that tradition has returned to Lamar.
Opened in 2026 by Landon and Elizabeth Brown, Prowers County Market has transformed the former Safeway building into a locally owned, family-operated grocery store committed to serving Prowers County with fresh food, exceptional service, and a personal touch.
For Landon, opening Prowers County Market represents far more than launching a new businessโit marks the continuation of a family legacy that stretches back nearly a century. His family's roots in the grocery industry began in the early 1930s, and his grandfather, F.B. Becquet became a familiar name in Lamar after taking over the IGA grocery store in the 1970s. Today, Landon and Elizabeth proudly carry that tradition forward as the third generation of grocery store owners in Lamar and the sixth generation serving Southeast Colorado.
After Landon earned a degree in Business Administration and explored corporate America, he quickly realized it wasn't where he belonged. He wanted to return to what mattered most: serving people through a family-owned business where relationships come first. Elizabeth brings her own entrepreneurial background, having grown up around family-owned restaurants before earning a degree in music education and teaching in Walsenburg. Today, she oversees the behind-the-scenes operations that keep Prowers County Market running each day.
Together, they've built the store around a community centric philosophy: Provide an outstanding shopping experience, leaving our customers with a sense of belonging and community pride.โ
Unlike a corporate chain, Prowers County Market is independently owned and operated. When customers have questions, suggestions, or requests, they're speaking directly with Landon and Elizabethโnot a corporate office hundreds of miles away. That local ownership allows them to make decisions based on what's best for their customers and the community they call home.
Inside the store, shoppers will find a full-service grocery featuring fresh produce, an in-house butcher offering hand-cut meats, a bakery preparing fresh donuts and custom cakes daily, and a deli serving favorites including hand-breaded fried chicken and gyrosโwith additional Mediterranean offerings planned as demand grows. Rather than filling shelves with unnecessary merchandise, the Browns have intentionally focused on providing quality groceries and everyday essentials families rely on most.
Launching the store, however, was anything but easy. Renovating the former Safeway building proved to be a much larger undertaking than anticipated. From stabilizing aging refrigeration systems to modernizing the facility and preparing it for reopening, countless hours of work went into bringing the building back to life. Local contractors, including Grett Electric, Adam & Sons, Taylor Plumbing, and Cooks Floor and Wall, all played an important role throughout the renovation process, reinforcing the Browns' commitment to supporting other local businesses whenever possible.
Even as opening day approached, the work wasn't finished. The Browns started the lengthy approval process for SNAP, WIC, and OTC Card benefits shortly after purchasing the store in February to ensure the community would have access to essential food assistance. Looking back, Landon and Elizabeth say the overwhelming support shown by the community has made every challenge worthwhile.
That community-first mindset continues to shape the business today. Prowers County Market actively supports local organizations and events, including Sparrow House Ministries Food Bank, Sand & Sage Round-Up's annual dinner and livestock auction, the Grace Family Worship Centerโs Back 2 School Bash, and giving away watermelon at the Lamar Chamberโs Fourth of July Free Community Barbecue, while continuing to invest in the people and organizations making a positive difference throughout Southeast Colorado. Their goal isn't simply to operate a grocery storeโit's to become the community's trusted neighborhood market for generations to come.
Looking ahead, the Browns remain focused on fine-tuning operations, improving efficiency, and keeping groceries as affordable as possible. New features like their digital coupon system that finds every available coupon, based on your purchase, and presents them on the white kiosk during checkout (with no need to pre-clip!) reflects their commitment to making shopping easier while helping families stretch their grocery budgets.
Above all else, Landon and Elizabeth want customers to feel like part of the family. They invite everyone to stop by, introduce themselves, share ideas, and help shape the future of Prowers County Market. As they like to say, "Shop local, win local." When the community supports a locally owned grocery store, that investment stays right here in Prowers County.
PEP is proud to recognize Prowers County Market as our August Start-Up Spotlight. Through generations of family tradition, local ownership, and a genuine commitment to serving their neighbors, Landon and Elizabeth Brown are proving that hometown businesses remain an essential ingredient in building stronger rural communities.
๐พ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ญ ๐พ
๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: 906 E. Olive Street, Lamar CO 81052
๐ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ: (719)691-2490
๐ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐: 7AM to 9PM
๐ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ: www.prowerscountymarket.com
๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Prowers County Market
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐:Full-Service Grocery | Fresh Produce | In-House Butcher | Fresh Bakery & Custom Cakes | Deli & Hot Foods | Customer Loyalty Rewards Program
