The journey of Blair’s Market began in 1980 with Blair and Norene Foulger. They’d just become empty nesters and had the opportunity to purchase the former Max’s Market. They had 24 hours to decide if they wanted to embark on this new adventure. Their answer was simple: “Let’s go for it!”

Members of their family eventually joined the business, and Blair’s Market entered the third generation of family ownership in January 2022 when Brandon and Shalene Yule purchased the Worland location. Through all the growth and changes, the same family values endure. As Brandon said, “Our guests are everything, and our employees are part of our family.”

Brandon was born in Worland and has called it home for most of his life. He graduated from Worland High School in 2004 and joined the Army National Guard in 2002, completing basic training in Oklahoma between his junior and senior years. He deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a medic from 2005-2007, and again as a team leader from 2009-2010. He and his wife Shalene were married in 2007 following his return from his first tour to Iraq. After his second tour, Brandon decided to jump into the grocery business with Shalene, where she worked for her father Kent, the owner of Blair’s Market at the time. Brandon worked as a Store Director for about seven years prior to the purchase.

Brandon and Shalene have two boys—Corbin, born in 2011, and Terek, born in 2014. Blair’s Market is their life, but they enjoy traveling with the kids and making memories. Brandon is also a Captain with the Worland Volunteer Fire Department. Community service is important to him, and he feels there’s nothing more rewarding than helping those in need. His love for the grocery business developed as he interacted with people throughout the community. He said, “Worland is a place where you can go to the grocery store, and 9 times out of 10, find someone you can have a positive conversation with.”

Blair’s Market strives to offer all the items the community needs or wants, and its employees make guests feel welcome when they walk in the door. The store also regularly partners with local organizations, helping with fundraising for groups such as the Food Bank and Senior Center as well as large community events and other nonprofits.

Voice and internet connectivity are vital at Blair’s Market. It uses a 3CX Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phone system from Range, which Brandon described as “working great since installation with only very minor issues.” The store needs excellent internet service due to the demands of electronic payments, coupons, and other online services. Range offered a faster and more cutting-edge service than what was previously available to the Worland area —fiber internet. Brandon said, “I can count on one hand the number of downtimes during business hours in the last five years. Anytime I have a concern, Range is there quickly to help. Their team knows we need to stay connected.”

Originally published in June 2023 Customer Connections Newsletter.