(Le Mars) — At Monday’s Lunch and Learn session, members of the Brown family musical group shared their story to a gathering of nearly 50 people. Shelly Brown, the matriarch of the family singing group, says she has always had an interest in music and singing, and the Browns perhaps got their start from an investment of $200.
Shelly Brown says as the musical family expanded into other regions and territories, so did their means of transportation.
Brown says her musical family, which now consists of herself, daughter Michaela, and two sons, Adam and Andrew, and previously an older daughter, Jessica would sing at various locations and venues.
The musical group soon found themselves performing at the music theater capital of the world, Branson, Missouri.
Shelly Brown explains the Branson experience was both educational and fun, and it got her to thinking about establishing a musical theater for Le Mars.
In August of 2015, the Browns purchased the building located on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Plymouth Street that at one time, served as a bank.
Most recently, the building served as the law offices for Joe Flannery. The Brown family then invested money… sweat… and long work hours to renovate the bank building to become a musical theater.
Shelly says when the family renovated the century old building, they were hoping to have at least ten buses full of tourists within the first year. Fortunately, for the Browns and for the town of Le Mars, their efforts have been more successful than first imagined. Shelly says by the end of their Christmas
concert series, more than 30 tour buses will have made their way to Le Mars.
The next entrepreneurial venture for the Browns is they have recently purchased the building diagonally across the street from their musical theater, the former High Lite lounge. Following another extensive renovation project, the Browns intend
to utilize the building as a gathering place serving a buffet dinner to those people with tickets to see their show.
The Browns plan to feature Christmas music shows during 23 performances during November and December.
