We were fortunate to know Brian Busier
Father, husband, mentor, friend; how ever you knew Brian Busier, he definitely made an impression on you. He continues to impact our community since his passing in December.
Known to many as owner of Lantman’s Market, Brian was very involved in the grocery business, but he still made time to contribute to his hometown and the surrounding community. He served as a member of the Select Board, was the driving force in founding the Hinesburg Recreation Department and contributed to many other organizations any way he could. Brian was recognized by the Hinesburg Volunteer Fire Department for Outstanding Support and Dedication and given The Hinesburg Fireman’s Association Award of Honorary Membership. Additionally, Brian was acknowledged by the Lions Club, the Hinesburg Youth Lacrosse program, the Hinesburg Nursery School, Hinesburg Community School and PTO/PiE, Buccaneers youth football program, Champlain Valley Union High School Athletics, and many other organizations.
Brian was a champion of the local grocery community. He was a long-time member of the Vermont Grocers Association (VGA, now the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, VRGA) and sat on the Board of Directors for both organizations. As an independent grocer, Brian received many awards and recognitions. He was named to the Honor Roll of Outstanding Independent Grocers 1990 and 1993, awarded the VGA Grocer of the year 1992, named Single-Store Retailer of the Year by C&S Wholesale Grocer in 2008. Additionally, under Brian’s guidance Lantman’s produced three Best Baggers; all of whom won the VGA Best Bagger Competition and were awarded trips to Las Vegas to compete at the National Grocers Association competition.
With regard to The Hinesburg Record, Brian made Lantman’s Market one of The Record’s best advertisers. He did business with The Record more out of support for a community newspaper than for any revenue gained via advertising.
Raised in Hinesburg, Brian was the eighth of nine siblings. When Brian turned 14, he became a stock associate at his hometown grocer, Lantman’s IGA (now Lantman’s Market). He was so enthralled with the grocery business that he told his sister Susan: “One day I am going to own Lantman’s” – which he did!
Brian was a magnet for town history and stories, most of which he gained from listening to his mother and all the old timers who passed through the store over the years. If you stopped to chat with Brian, it was never for five minutes. Several minutes or hours later and you would leave more knowledgeable about the town, old and new, and having discussed several topics.
Through owning Lantman’s, Brian was able to pursue his passion for sharing his knowledge and teaching others. His classroom was not located in a school or on a campus but rather within his store. Brian enjoyed working alongside new hires and teaching first-time employees – mostly teens in their first job experience – the value of a strong work ethic and the expectations of employment.
Judging the nature of Lantman’s personnel, the quality of its products, and the shopping experience in general, Brian’s leadership worked like magic.
How many teens in our area had their first job as a Brian Busier hire?
This alone makes Brian a hero in so many lives.
In Lantman’s, Brian established a community hub and resource rarely found elsewhere, preserving a small-town feel with big-time efficiency and know-how. It’s amazing how little time it takes to get in and out at Lantman’s and still bring home all that is desired.
Brian was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the spring of 2017 and passed away on Dec. 13, 2022. He always had an abundance of energy and was often referred to as the “Energizer Bunny.” However, being treated for Multiple Myeloma meant he had to slow down and pursue hobbies that were not as physically demanding. Brian was always musically inclined and taught himself how to play the harmonica. As a lifelong grocer, he was passionate about food. He spent more time preparing meals and experimenting with new recipes discovered online. He took up wood carving and created a menagerie of animals out of blocks of wood with his chainsaw. But most of all he adored spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of his life.