Fruits of their labor

Outdoor produce stand builds appreciative clientele

Amazing mangos. Special peppers.

The brightly painted catchy signs advertising The Marketplace, the outdoor fruit and vegetable stand at the corner of Montana 35 and U.S. 2, beckon customers to peruse equally splendid tomatoes, cherries, peaches and herbs.

The Marketplace, also known as Affordable Produce, as well as "that fruit stand at the intersection of the highways' sprang up several months ago.

Francisco Manzo and partner Gabe Heaps opened the stand after the successful sale of a semi-truck load of oranges last winter. The temporary sale was so popular that Manzo, a landscaper, and Heaps, a tiler, quit their jobs to sell fruit exclusively this summer.

"Everyone was excited to see oranges in the winter," Manzo said. "People said they liked it more than the store. People kept pushing us to have more produce. It's not something we planned - it's just all coming together. We never thought to start a business."

Manzo seems surprised at their success. The stand stocks both local and imported produce from California and Washington. Manzo said that locals bring their tomatoes, cherries, cucumbers, zucchinis, raspberries, and herbs from their gardens to sell or to trade for other fruits and vegetables. A number of people have brought in huckleberries, which are snatched up by shoppers as soon as they're dropped off.

"People like the outside market," Manzo said. "It's something different, something new."

The Marketplace has welcomed other small businesses to advertise, as evidenced by a sign with a phone number for a beef supplier. An ice cream stand has sprung up beside the market as well.

The business partners have had enough success that Heaps was in California at the time of this interview, searching for a small refrigerated truck to cut down on shipping costs.

Other challenges the fledgling business have faced are price fluctuations and competition from specialty stores and supermarkets. Fruit that is outside also ripens more quickly. Whatever doesn't sell by the time it becomes overripe is given away.

"When someone looks grumpy, I like to give them peaches," Manzo said. "The people smile and leave this place with joy."

Manzo and Heaps do not employ anyone and the stand is staffed by friends and family who volunteer. Their location at the intersection of two busy roadways is advertising unto itself. However, Manzo and Heaps don't know if they will purchase the location or whether it will be available for lease in the future. They are hesitant to rent the space during the winter, when it will be too cold to have an outside stand.

Yet the pair is approaching such uncertainty with the same laissez-faire attitude with which they started their business.

"So far we've been having good business," Manzo said. "It's building itself, this business. So many dreams."

Reporter K.J. Hascall may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at kjhascall@dailyinterlake.com