Thirty years ago my son Greg and daughter Anne asked me if they could have a lemonade stand. I suggested they could make more money selling vegetables from my garden. We started with the produce on a picnic table in our front yard along Grandview Drive. And soon we erected our LOCAL PRODUCE sign at the end of our driveway and moved closer to the house. Sales were brisk so I made my garden larger and started using other parcels of land to expand our garden business. I might add that I was in charge of production and the kids marketing. I took half the proceeds for my contribution and they took the other half.
We first called ourselves FARIS FRUITS AND VEGGIES and after a few years we changed our name to YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN because at the beginning our Highland Kessler neighbors were our main customers. We continue to appreciate the business and support that comes from our neighbors.
The kids moved on to bigger opportunities which left the family business in my hands. It was a labor of love on a part-time basis for 13 years and then after I retired from Lilly, YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN has become a full-time labor of love for me. I always wanted my own small business and YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN was the answer. I get lots of satisfaction from my customers who appreciate what we do.
Our primary objective is to offer the largest variety of LOCAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLES in central Indiana. Our produce is fresh and local; as demand for local has exceeded my production capability I became a forager. In addition to produce from our gardens, we obtain produce from small Indiana family farms.
Let me quote (loosely) from a local food blogger, Amy and some of her comments generated by her blog, “My friend Ann told me about YOUR NEIGHBORS GARDEN located on Grandview just off the path I drive on a daily basis. I knew I was at the right place, when I saw the LOCAL PRODUCE sign with a long listing of produce including blueberries, sweet corn and tomatoes. I was surprised to not find tables piled with produce and someone sitting with a small cash box. Instead there was a sign posted on the side of a small building attached to the garage greeting us.
We walked inside and found air conditioning (I guess for both the produce and the customer). The walls were lined with white painted shelves offering fruits and veggies, each section tagged with the name of the produce and its price. There was a scale and that was it. No one else was there. It turns out that YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN Home Market is self-serve. You add up your purchases and leave cash, check or Visa voucher in the safe box as you leave.
Robbie and I looked around and chose zucchini (for zucchini bread), sweet corn, a couple of big beautiful tomatoes, a pint of cherry tomatoes for Charlie, a pint of blueberries (should have gotten a quart for Robbie) and a cabbage which I really didn’t know what to do with and lastly one beet, all for $15.00.”
Comments: “Oh how I would love to have a place like that in my neighborhood. Fresh produce AND air conditioning! And what a lovely market and no crowds! I wish I had one like that around here.
YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GARDEN does sell at some of the farmers markets including Broad Ripple, Zionsville, City Market and 38th Street. But there’s something about going to his hidden gem that appeals to me. This week they’ll have lots of new stuff including peaches, raspberries and green tomatoes. If you go, leave some for me.”
HOME MARKET AT 5224 GRANDVIEW DRIVE; OPEN FROM 6 TO 9, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY beginning in early April
