116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Fareway acquires Brothers Market grocery stores in Lisbon, Denver
Stores to close for transition, renovation in March
Jan. 8, 2025 4:10 pm, Updated: Jan. 9, 2025 7:17 am
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Fareway, one of the largest grocers in Iowa, has agreed to purchase two new locations in Eastern Iowa from another small grocery chain.
Fareway Stores Inc. this week announced the acquisition of Brothers Market locations at 930 Commercial St. in Linn County’s Lisbon, and at 1022 Skyler St. in Bremer County’s Denver. The transaction is expected to close in March, when both locations will close for several months to renovate them.
The two stores were part of a small, family-owned chain that operates 16 stores across small towns in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. They were both in business for over 10 years.
“As Fareway grows, we are committed to serving vibrant communities of varying sizes,” Fareway Chief Executive Officer Reynolds Cramer said in a statement. “We want to thank the DeVries family and city leaders in both communities for having confidence in Fareway to be their local grocery store.”
Half the remaining 14 Brothers Market stores will be in Iowa after the Denver and Lisbon locations change hands. The nearest remaining Brothers Market locations will be in Cascade, Parkersburg and Grundy Center.
“For over a decade, Brothers Market has been proud to serve the communities of Denver and Lisbon, Iowa,” Jay DeVries, co-owner of Brothers Market, said in a statement. “Our family-owned business would like to thank our customers and the community for their support through the years and we know they are in good hands for many more as we pass the baton to Fareway Meat and Grocery.”
Tenants inside the Denver and Lisbon stores will remain after the transformations; Ace Hardware will continue in Denver, and Cabin Coffee will remain in Lisbon.
Lisbon City Administrator Brandon Siggins said in a statement that the acquisition comes after months of time and energy put into coming to an agreement.
“This will not only benefit our community but surrounding communities by attracting visitors to shop here in Lisbon,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for Lisbon.”
Fareway continues to grow, with 140 stores in a seven-state region. Construction updates, opening announcements and employment opportunities will be posted to fareway.com.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
Daily Newsletters