For the Brooks family, opening a storefront in downtown Lee’s Summit was about more than finding a place to sell their products. It was a chance to create a market where customers could trust everything on the shelves. The Brooks Family Farm Store grew from the connection owners Emily and Neal built with customers at the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmers Market, where they began selling in 2024.
“Lee’s Summit has been so supportive of our family and what we’re trying to do,” they shared. After adding Saturdays to their market schedule in 2025, the couple began imagining how a permanent storefront could help them serve the community year-round. Downtown Lee’s Summit quickly became the obvious choice.
“The vibes here are great,” they said. “Every Wednesday and Saturday when we would drive into Green Street, we felt that, and we wanted to be a part of it.”
Inside the store, shoppers will find the farm’s pork, chicken and eggs, as well as all-natural, lard-based skincare products. Lamb and beef are expected to join the selection in the coming months. The market also carries milk, cheese, seasonal produce, sourdough, baked treats, tortillas, chips, coffee, salsa, seasonings, dog treats and other goods from local farms and makers. Cookbooks, puzzles and kitchen accessories round out the shelves. The Brooks family buys directly from the people who make or grow the items rather than using third-party resellers. They prioritize products that are certified organic or meet similar standards, but quality matters just as much.
That philosophy begins on the Brooks family’s 117-acre farm south of Osceola, Missouri, where they raise pigs, meat and egg chickens, cattle and sheep. Both Emily and Neal grew up around agriculture. After marrying, they purchased 16 acres and several cows from Emily’s grandfather. Their operation steadily expanded, eventually leading them to pasture-raised chickens and pigs. There are no automatic feeders or waterers on the farm. The family interacts with the animals daily, hauling food and water to every group.
“It’s a lot of hands-on work,” they said, “but we believe it produces the best product.”
At the downtown store, that work translates into an inviting place where shoppers can discover flavorful food, support area producers and feel confident about what they are bringing home.
“We hope people feel welcomed,” the family shared, “and like they can trust us to bring them something they can feel great about eating.”