Arnold’s Family Market is open for business at 20 Pelkey Road, Mapleton. The market came about as the result of a discussion between Isaac Braley and Jason Pratt that led to a partnership.
The market is located on the corner of the field that was once owned by Arnold Gough. Gough was a successful, well-known farmer in Mapleton.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
A few years ago, the Gough farm was purchased by Braley, who has grown potatoes on the farm. However Braley and Pratt began talking about doing something different with the field next to the Gough House. They decided that a fresh fruit and vegetable farm stand would be an asset to Mapleton.
They formed a partnership and devised a plan for starting and operating a quality farm stand selling local grown produce as well as produce from across Aroostook County and from New England and beyond. They wanted to provide a delicious selection of healthy, locally grown produce and goods.
The development of the market began in earnest one year ago when the property was cleared, the concrete pad poured and the building placed on the site. Through the winter the building was insulated and the interior covered in wood. All of the wood for the walls, ceiling and floor came as raw planks from the Boucher Lumber Mill in Chapman. The wood was planed, sanded and finished over the winter and spring. Then the field around the Market was planted with 20 different kinds of vegetables, which are tended every day.
Then came opening day, and customers could find on the shelves MacIntosh apples, peaches, limes, lemons, carrots, slicing cucumbers, beets, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, cabbage, tomatoes, red onions, white onions and two fresh kinds of new potatoes – Emily’s Spectacular Superiors and Lydia’s Luscious Reds.
In a refrigerated cooler, there were strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, chard, broccolini, parsley, blueberries and eggs. Watermelons were added this past week. Above each item, buyers will find labels that state the price of the item and location from which the item came. For example, zucchini, summer squash and new potatoes came from Mapleton while the tomatoes came from an Amish farm in Sherman.
Customers were welcomed to the market by Adalynn Pratt, daughter of Jason and Amber Pratt, who was selling lemonade and iced tea from a stand on the front porch. Inside, Amber Pratt waited upon the customers.
Among the market’s first customers were Ernie and Laurie Caron. Helping serve the customers was Emily Braley, daughter of Isaac Braley. Braley and Pratt were happy to see the many neighbors and friends come out on opening day to support their store.
Beginning last week, the Market will be open Wednesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
