Friday, April 30, 2010

Signs

Every year, Junior's ex-father-in-law Del tries to start a business.  He wants to be able to open a produce stand in his yard.

There are a couple of things that prevent this from being successful every year.  First, he lives right next door to a big, successful produce stand.  Second, he likes to give away his produce for free.

A few years ago, I ran the stand.  Every day during the Spring/Summer, I sat in his yard, under a big tent, selling produce.  Now, this wouldn't have been too bad if a few things were different.  For one thing, I was there from about 8 in the morning until 7 or 8 at night.  That's a long day.  I also had all the kids with me, because Junior was either working or sleeping.  Now, for my littles to be out in the heat, with nothing to do, for that length of time, well, it was difficult.  Add to this the fact that there was no bathroom, so if me or the kids had to go, we had to leave the stand and walk to the closest store.  It was not fun.

But, these people are like family, so I did it.  From May to July.  I would be lying if I said I was disappointed when he decided to close down because he wasn't making any money.  He was investing too much in the produce, buying it at a local farmer's market, and not making enough selling it.  There was a point in time where people were coming to the stand, and asking if Del was there.  most of the time he wasn't, and people would leave saying they'd be back when he was there, because he gave them free stuff and I didn't.  That did not help with the making of money, I can tell you that.

Last year, he decided that he was going to grow his own produce.  You would think this was a great idea, except that his produce always tasted funny.  Junior said it was because of the soil (he planted his garden in an old goat fields...and when I say old, I mean he got rid of the goats and then planted his produce) and the sprays he used on the plants.  Needless to say, he didn't make it work last year, either.

Apparently, he has decided that the time has come to try again.  He called me last night and asked me to make him some signs to hang in his yard, advertising what he's selling.  I did, and now I am waiting for him to ask me to sell for him.

Is it wrong that I don't want to?

2 comments:

Kristin said...

No, I would say it is completely reasonable and okay to say no..
The signs look great, by the way!

jenn said...

thanks! And thankfully, he has yet to ask...