Steamboat's Lyon's Corner Drug Reopens After Two-Year Crash Repair

Steamboat Springs —A car traveling down Lincoln Avenue didn’t just dent a fender. It pushed the historic brick facade of the Maxwell-Squire Building back more than a foot.

That single impact in early 2024 set off a chain reaction that kept the doors of Lyon’s Corner Drug closed for nearly two years. The Steamboat Pilot reported on Tuesday that the repairs are finally done, and a grand reopening is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5.

Amanda Jones, who owns the pharmacy and soda fountain with her husband Joshua, took over the business from Matt and Kelli Johnson in January 2024. Barely a year later, the crash happened. For Jones, the timeline has been brutal. She spent 2024 navigating staffing and wholesaler contracts while the building sat in a state of limbo. Then came the construction.

"I'd say we're feeling optimistic," Jones told the Pilot, though her optimism is tempered by a reality check on revenue. She described sales during the construction period as "dismal." The store looked closed to passersby, and foot traffic suffered. Jones noted that the low revenue wasn't just about the scaffolding; it was a mix of the renovation, the general state of the economy, and low tourism levels during the previous winter.

The fix required more than just patching a hole in the wall. Historic Routt County and building owner Victor Balestra worked from January 2025 to rehabilitate the structure. The project included structural repairs, masonry restoration, window fixes, and interior finish work. Because the crash compromised the building's integrity, Balestra had to add pillars and other supports to keep it standing. The sidewalk in front of the store was closed off for much of that time, cutting off a major pedestrian artery on Lincoln Avenue.

Repairs were delayed while Historic Routt County secured $250,000 from the History Colorado State Historical Fund and navigated insurance approvals. On paper, that’s a significant grant for local preservation. In practice, it just meant the store stayed dark longer.

Balestra’s team included Hewitt Design Studio, JVA Consulting Engineers, Mountain Architecture Design Group P.C., and Deep Roots Craftsmen. All final inspections are complete, and the building permit has been closed. The project was also approved for Colorado’s Commercial Historic Preservation tax credit program, a financial lifeline that helps offset the cost of keeping historic structures viable in a modern economy.

For neighbors, the change is visual and immediate. Jones pointed out that with the rehabilitation complete, people walking by can now fully see inside the store again. The "closed" vibe is gone. She’s already seen customers this week who admitted they hadn’t been in for a long time, likely because the construction made them feel like the business was gone.

The grand reopening happens Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s the same hours as usual, but the stakes are higher. The store is betting that two years of absence hasn’t killed its customer base.

The practical bottom line for locals is simple: the sidewalk on Lincoln Avenue in front of the Maxwell-Squire Building opens up again, and a historic storefront returns to its original function. You don’t need a tax credit or a state grant to know the value of a working pharmacy in your neighborhood. You just need it to be open when you need it.