Beacon Welcomes New Store To The Community

From left to right: Terry Anderson, Becky Anderson and Mayor Shawn Maxwell

Beacon, Iowa – This small town, like many others throughout Iowa, is struggling to stay viable. So when two locals, husband and wife Terry & Becky Anderson, decided to open a convenience store in the middle of town, everyone took notice.

The last place in town was a chain store that pulled out more than 5 years ago, leaving residents, of this town under 500, to make the trek to Oskaloosa for those small items. You can get most everything at the new store, with the exception of gas. There is even a drive up window for customers to use.

Terry says that he’s been wanting to add a convenience store for the past couple of years, and with the equipment purchase,from a now defunct store, that dream became a reality.

Anderson’s County Store sits on the main road going through town, which leads to the popular camping grounds at Eveland Access to the south, and Oskaloosa to the north.

“Becky is doing a great job here,” Terry says of his wife’s efforts at the new store. “She’s very busy.”

Becky Anderson says that it’s “busier than I anticipated.”

The store serves sandwiches and pizza, along with many other menu items. That variety coupled with some tables that were installed for coffee shop talk have lead to breakfast crowds, lunch crowds and supper crowds. A side of the business they didn’t expect.

Becky says that customers tell them that they are glad the store is open and has customers grateful that they don’t have to make the drive into Oskaloosa.

According to Becky, the pizza has been a big hit.

Shawn Maxwell, Mayor of Beacon, says, “Honestly, I think it’s great for the community as a whole, where they can have a place like this come… From a city’s standpoint, it’s great for the community. From a personal standpoint, I couldn’t be happier, I can’t wish enough success upon them.”

If you’re looking for more information about Anderson’s County Store, you can visit their location at 307 Kilbourn St. in Beacon, Iowa or by phone at 641.676.4525.