For years, Parkesdale Farm Market has been the go-to produce emporium for Plant City residents. What started as a fruit stand in 1968 has grown to a community staple that sells fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, shortcake and milkshakes. But Parkesdale patrons who have visited the market on West Baker Street in the last few weeks might have noticed some big changes.
In August, the market began replacing its tin roof with an A-frame roof. This is the first time the roof has been replaced since the market’s inception.
“They never expected it would last this long,” Jim Meeks III said.
His father, Jim Meeks II, took over the family business in 1978.
“When we got here eight years ago, we just started doing little things as we could afford them,” Jim Meeks III said.
The roof, which is expected to be completed in about two weeks, took two years of savings. Still, it’s something that Jim Meeks III believes will be beneficial for the market. Tin roofs, such as the original Parkesdale roof, tend to hold water. An A-frame over the market also will produce more light and better airflow.
Although the process is now running smoothly, the construction team did face some issues caused by summer storms. It took two trucks of cement to set the poles necessary to begin the renovation, as the rain ruined any progress the team made.
Since Jim Meeks III began making improvements to Parkesdale eight years ago, he has had the potholes in the parking lot filled and added more seating at the back of the market. The market’s greenhouse and bathrooms were also renovated last summer.
When Jim Meeks III began managing Parkesdale, he and his family considered knocking down the original market and building a newer one. The idea didn’t last very long.
“It would have lost the character and the charm,” Jim Meeks III said. “We didn’t want to lose that. It would be like starting over.”
Jim Meeks III, who has two young daughters, hopes that the business will remain in the family for at least one more generation.
As roof renovations get closer to completion, he has started thinking of the market’s next projects. The greenhouse ceiling will be raised and combined with the new A-frame.
Customers can look forward to new grocery items too.
Parkesdale will begin selling strawberry plants Thursday, Oct. 1, and the market began selling new jams and jellies this summer.
Other specialty items include blue cheese stuffed olives and a strawberry serrano hot sauce.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.