For over half a century, residents and contractors in Colorado Springs have turned to Pioneer Sand for their landscaping and hardscaping needs. Established in 1968, Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs has deep roots in the community, built on a foundation of quality materials and exceptional service. Today, as Pioneer Landscape Centers, the company is evolving to meet the growing demands of the modern homeowner while reaffirming its commitment to professional landscapers. This transformation marks an exciting new chapter for a trusted local business, enhancing its services and broadening its appeal in the competitive landscape supply market.
Founded by Gary Schnurr and his wife Judi, Pioneer Sand began its journey in Colorado Springs, steadily growing to become a cornerstone of the regional landscaping industry. After nearly five decades of dedicated service, the Schnurr family transitioned ownership to JLL Partners Inc. in 2014. While the company’s headquarters have since moved to Highlands Ranch, Pioneer’s commitment to the Pikes Peak region remains strong, with key locations continuing to serve Colorado Springs, Black Forest, and Monument. This enduring presence ensures that Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs, now Pioneer Landscape Centers, continues to be a readily accessible resource for local customers.
The rebranding to Pioneer Landscape Centers signals a strategic shift towards directly engaging with the burgeoning DIY homeowner market. Historically focused on business-to-business transactions, primarily serving contractors and landscaping firms, Pioneer is now enthusiastically welcoming homeowners to experience a revolutionized retail model. According to CEO Sagi Cohen, who assumed leadership in June, this homeowner-centric approach is designed to make quality landscaping materials and expert advice more accessible than ever before.
Across its 31 locations in Colorado and Arizona, Pioneer Landscape Centers is investing in a significant transformation, creating “luxury” landscape centers designed to inspire and empower homeowners. At the heart of this new concept is the nearly 6,000-square-foot outdoor Pioneer Marketplace and Inspiration Center. These marketplaces are meticulously organized, showcasing a wide array of landscaping and outdoor living products, from elegant pavers and decorative pottery to inviting fire pits. To further enhance the customer experience, Pioneer offers guided tours of these facilities in new electric carts, ensuring a comfortable and informative visit.
Steve Herr, Southern Colorado Regional Manager for Pioneer, emphasizes the welcoming atmosphere of the revamped Colorado Springs location on Northpark Drive. He notes that the previous setup of a traditional “rock yard” could be intimidating for homeowners. The new design aims to eliminate this barrier, creating a safe and comfortable environment where homeowners can freely explore ideas and select materials for their outdoor projects. This inviting space allows customers to envision their landscaping dreams and find the resources to bring them to life, reinforcing Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs‘s evolution into a comprehensive landscape center.
“Everyone wants to be a DIYer these days,” Herr observes, acknowledging the immense popularity of home and yard improvement trends. Pioneer Landscape Centers is perfectly positioned to cater to this DIY enthusiasm, bridging the gap between large home improvement chains and traditional contractor-focused suppliers. While big box stores offer limited selections, Pioneer boasts an impressive inventory of approximately 3,000 products, ensuring customers find precisely what they need in the desired color and style, often at more competitive prices.
Cohen highlights Pioneer’s unique “farm-to-table” style operation as another key differentiator. With two production facilities, 23 quarries, and a fleet of nearly 200 trucks, Pioneer manages its supply chain from the source to the customer. “We mine the products,” Cohen explains. “We operate our own quarries, our own production lines,” guaranteeing quality control and supply reliability for Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs and all its locations.
Beyond product selection and supply chain advantages, Pioneer Landscape Centers distinguishes itself through its expert staff. Embodying the new tagline, “your partner in outdoor living,” Pioneer’s team provides personalized guidance and support that goes beyond the self-service model of big box stores. “We have a full-service sales staff, and we can guide you through the process, how much material you’ll need,” Herr states. “We can do some design work for you,” offering valuable assistance to homeowners at every stage of their projects.
While embracing the DIY homeowner, Pioneer Landscape Centers remains deeply committed to its contractor clientele. Recognizing the critical role contractors play in the landscaping industry, Pioneer has introduced a “Fast Lane” service. This drive-through concept dramatically reduces wait times for contractors, streamlining the ordering, payment, and loading process to 10 minutes or less, down from approximately 25 minutes. Herr reports that contractor feedback on the Fast Lane has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating Pioneer’s ongoing dedication to serving its professional customers.
Colorado Springs-based C&C Sand and Stone Co., a contemporary of Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs, also caters to both contractors and homeowners. Owner and President Bill Johannsen acknowledges the increasing homeowner interest in outdoor living spaces and recognizes the strategic wisdom in Pioneer’s renewed focus. He notes that C&C also incorporates displays similar to Pioneer’s to attract homeowners, indicating a broader industry trend towards serving the DIY market.
Pioneer Landscape Centers is not only focused on enhancing its retail experience but also on strategic expansion. With plans to enter new states like California and Texas, the company is poised for significant growth. Cohen emphasizes that Pioneer was already profitable and growing before the rebranding, but the goal is to solidify its position as the undisputed market leader. He draws parallels to his successful rebranding of Caesarstone USA, aiming to elevate Pioneer Landscape Centers to similar heights of industry prominence.
Early indications suggest the rebranding is already yielding positive results. The Northpark store in Colorado Springs, showcasing the new concept since mid-October, has experienced a notable 20 percent increase in average daily sales compared to the previous month. As Pioneer Landscape Centers approaches its 50th anniversary in the community next year, the company is energized and optimistic about the future. This evolution from Pioneer Sand Company Colorado Springs to Pioneer Landscape Centers signifies a dynamic adaptation to market trends, promising continued success and service to both homeowners and professionals for decades to come.
