We’re writing today to share some exciting news with you — A.W. Brown’s is becoming employee-owned!

For over 50 years, A.W. Brown’s has been serving the needs of our valued customers in the Pioneer Valley and neighboring communities throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. With this shift to employee ownership, we’re living our values by working to ensure that our staff can thrive — and helping to secure the future of AW Brown’s for the next 50 years.

Alson Wesler Brown purchased the East Longmeadow Grain Store in 1970, creating A.W. Brown's. In 1985 the Brown family passed the baton to Tom Wheeler and his family, who are now passing it to the A.W. Brown family of employees. Tom, along with his partner Kate Devine, have spent the last 38 years growing our company to become one of the pillars of the local business community. This transition will ensure that A.W. Brown's will stay locally owned for years to come and in fact, members of both the Brown and Wheeler families still work in the business today.

So, what does this mean for you, our loyal customers? Everything here will continue to be business-as-usual. Tom and Kate are staying with the company for the next several months to ensure a smooth transition and all other employees will remain in place and continue providing our customers with unparalleled expertise and a great shopping experience.

The intent behind this ownership transition is that if we hadn’t told you, you probably would have never noticed. All aspects of our business will continue to operate as before — and at the level of excellence you have come to expect from the A.W. Brown team.

On behalf of Tom, Kate and all of us at A.W. Brown’s, we truly appreciate the support and faith you have shown us for all these years! As a locally owned family business in East Longmeadow, we are a community together. Please feel free to reach out to any of us and share your thoughts, comments, and questions. Thank you!

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