Buster Brown Propane expands with new shopping center and high hopes

Buster Brown Propane in New Caney has become a Montgomery County mainstay throughout its 38 years of service to the community. The company began all those years ago, catering to a small amount of customers and has since expanded to a third generation company, serving a majority of the surrounding areas; even providing the propane for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The expansion continues as the company enters a new chapter, opening a new building to accommodate their growing customer base, as well as a shopping center featuring businesses such as Fish Tales restaurant, and even a coffee shop owned by Buster Brown’s owners, which will be known as “Buster’s Brew.”
“When we started leasing out the shopping center, we had no idea it would fill up so quickly,” said Jan Peterson, who owns the business, along with her husband, Mark, and son, Matt. “I’m really excited to be a part of the coffee shop because it was always my dream to own a coffee shop. As Matt becomes more involved in the propane aspect of the business, I will start taking over the coffee shop.”

Buster Brown Propane is a true family business after it was established by Jan’s stepfather, Lewis “Buster” Brown. Matt even jokes that his young daughters are already asking to join the propane business.

“When my grandfather was the owner, I grew up sitting on his lap listening to the truckers call in on the radio,” said Matt. “I always knew that I wanted to do this and go into the business. I like the industry and I like the people. I never really saw myself doing anything else.”

Following close to a year’s worth of planning, in September construction began on the new building, which sits next door to the former Buster Brown building, located at 20126 Texas 494 Loop in New Caney, along with the new shopping center. The project is expected to be finished by Jan. 2014.

The Peterson family is extremely excited to expand their efforts in the community and to serve an even wider base of customers.

“We are the voice for propane in this area,” said Jan. “We have been a part of the Texas Propane and Gas Association (Jan has been a regional vice president and director for the association, as has Mark). It’s really amazing that what we say and do makes a difference, but it really does.” Read more here.