By Shannon Lukens.
Lyons Corner Drug & Soda Fountain has new owners. Joshua and Amanda Jones recently purchased the historic drugstore from their longtime friends, Matt and Kelli Johnson.
Matt says he loves being a pharmacist but doesn’t enjoy the business aspect of it as much so he reached out to Josh to see if he would like to buy the local pharmacy on the corner of 9th and Lincoln. Matt said he knew the Joneses were the right people to buy the business.
“They are the best answer I could ever come up with just because they know what they’re doing, they know how to run a company, and we’re friends.”
The Joneses and the Johnsons have known each other for 15 years, from pharmacy school in Missouri.
Josh Jones and his wife also own two other local pharmacies in Berthoud and Loveland. That’s where they live now because their daughters are in school, but they eventually plan to move to Steamboat Springs. Jones will split time being the pharmacist at Lyons Corner Drug in Steamboat Springs with Johnson who will stay on as pharmacist as well.
“The goal for us is to continue to serve the community of Steamboat. That’s why we do independent pharmacy is we want to serve the community. And at the end of the day, that’s why we’re pharmacists.”
Matt’s wife, Kelli Johnson, is also a pharmacist at Safeway, where she will continue working. She is proud that she and her husband were able to continue the long tradition of having a local pharmacy in Steamboat Springs, especially when it was difficult during the pandemic. The Johnsons were the first to bring COVID-19 vaccines to Routt County at Lyons Corner Drug.
“I think it’s really important that our family was able to be a part of the success and the continuation of Lyons through the pandemic, and to see how Matt could grow it and keep it relevant. Just to have our kids involved in it, and then for the community to be able to see what this place can continue to be through the years, and I think Josh and Amanda are the perfect people to continue that family-owned feel of this place. Matt decided not to even talk to any corporations or big pharmacies, so that speaks volumes, and the fact that we’re able to see our best friends carry this place on, that means the world to the both of us. They’re going to do a great job. They really are.”
Another concern is that the Lyons Drug Building at 9th and Lincoln is under contract to be sold. It went under contract Wednesday, Jan. 17. Jones says, “The challenge now is the new owner of the building.”
Johnson says the sale is contingent upon leases being signed with the drugstore and others in the building. He also says multiple offers were made by local residents but the building is under contract to someone from out of town, for cash.
“Our fear is having to move. Would we still be able to serve the community?” said Jones. “Matt and Kelli have done a great job of bring Lyons to the forefront of the community.”
Johnson has done some research on the building. He says it was built in 1908 with bricks made in the field where Steamboat Springs Middle School is now. Mary Squire bought it in 1918. She paid $18,500 for it then and she raised her kids upstairs.
Johnson says it became Chamberlain Drug in 1924. Chuck Lyons bought it in the early 40s. Tom and Nancy Clapsaddle had it next before selling to Wendy Lyon and Jennifer Campbell in 2007.
Then Johnson bought it from them in late 2019.
Johnson thinks that Josh and Amanda Jones are the 7th owners.