Photo by Barb Jeffers
After more than two years without a grocery store the dream of having a market back in Lanesboro has come true for area residents.
The manager of Lanesboro Market, Cynthia Ruen, was asked to run the market before anything else went forward. Owners of the building, Susan Schultze and Todd Readinger, as well as Lanesboro residents Phil and Heidi Dybing were happy with Cynthia’s decision to say yes.
“They had the idea of buying the building and then building the market and then they asked me if I was interested and when I said yes, they put the offer in on the building,” she explained.
The first time they approached Cynthia was in August 2024 and after giving it some thought, she agreed to be manager in September, Consequently, they closed on the building on November 15. The market opened on May 11, 2025.
Cynthia’s husband Peter helps quite a bit as well when he has time, as he stays busy with their business, Driftless Goat Company.
The Mission of the Lanesboro Market is as follows; “we are committed to providing our community with the freshest local products while fostering a sense of togetherness. Our focus is on supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable practices,” according to their website, lanesboromarket.com.
Supporting local farmers and producers is a key focus of the market. “We have mostly all local products,” notes Ruen.
When asked how business has been going since opening their doors, Ruen replies “So far, I think we are doing ok,” as local residents and visitors learn about the market and the products they offer.
She has not had much luck working with some distributors, as she is not able to order in bulk as stores in larger cities can. But she is very thankful for Iowa Food Hub. “They actually contacted me before I opened, and supply items from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Ruen is also appreciative of Coop Partners Warehouse, distributors of organic food, who supply the market with things not grown in this region such as lemons, avocados, bananas, and other fresh organic produce.
Lanesboro Market vendors include honey from Root River Honey and Between Orchards, honey and syrup from Carlin’s Honey, coffee from Loon’s Nest Coffee, spices from Watkins, lettuce from Rahe of Sunshine, meat from Driftless Goat Company, Buffalo Gal, Hart Meats, McCabe Family Farms, Benson Beef and Civil Sass. Serio Farms also supply the market with meat as well as tomatoes and cucumbers.
Hidden Stream Farm brings in meat, eggs and fruit for all to enjoy. Schmidt Farm brings in fresh asparagus which is a favorite of many people. Carly Mae’s Bakery, located in Chatfield Minn., supplies yummy fresh bread waiting on the shelves for customers.
Clara’s Eatery brings in fresh grab and go salads which are perfect for a quick lunch. Bluff Country Tallow has candles and hand lotion on the shelves for you and The Driftless Goat Store supplies calendula oil which is used to treat many skin conditions for people and also pets and farm animals.
This and so much more await you at the Lanesboro Market; cold drinks, pantry staples, household items, books by local authors, and more are also found in the store. You will be surprised at what you will find that you didn’t even know you needed!
It is nice to visit Lanesboro Market often, as selection changes not only by the season but daily, with so many fresh items coming in from a wide variety of vendors.
Also convenient for customers is online ordering from Lanesboro Market. There is an online shopping cart through their website.
It has certainly been exciting for area residents to have a market back in Lanesboro. Having fresh and delicious food close to home and being able to run to the market to get that last-minute forgotten item is great but patronizing a local small business that is supporting many other small businesses is perfect.
Business hours at Lanesboro Market are Monday through Thursday 8 – 6, Friday and Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-3.
To find out more information about Lanesboro Market phone 507.467.2068 or visit laneboromarket.com. Better yet, stop in at 100 Coffee St. E. in Lanesboro and see the unique and historical building while shopping and visiting with other customers.
Leave a Reply