Anderson's Produce moving to Rehoboth

The economy had officially tanked.

Kevin Anderson was practically out of a job.

With less than $200 to his name, he bought poster board and a folding card table from Wal-Mart.

He set up a roadside produce stand, selling veggies from his own garden, fresh baked goods and homemade salsa near his mother's house on the Forgotten Mile in Rehoboth Beach.

Much to Anderson's surprise, the stand was extremely successful.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "The town of Dewey even asked me to shut it down because it was becoming a roadside hazard."

So Anderson began searching for a more permanent location.

He expanded his operation to the old roadside stand on Route 16 in Greenwood, once occupied by Elmer's Market Too.

After four-and-a-half years in Greenwood, Anderson is moving back to the beach. But this time, he'll have more than just a card table.

Anderson's Produce will now take over the space once occupied by Gelato Gal on Route 1 in Rehoboth.

The new location will be up and running by early spring, he said. But Anderson plans to sell gift baskets, wreaths, hard candies and select produce and baked goods during a soft opening in December.

The Rehoboth storefront will offer locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, as well as Anderson's famous homemade apple sauce and salsa.

Anderson will continue to carry locally made goods such as honey, maple syrup, Backyard Jams & Jellies and private label jarred items like apple butter, sliced peaches and pickles. New room for freezers will allow for him to also carry Hopkins' ice cream, milk and cheeses. Anderson plans to incorporate fresh flowers and herbs into the storefront's landscaping so customers will be able to pick both fresh.

The new location even comes equipped with a commercial kitchen, which will allow Anderson to serve and sell a plethora of baked goods made right on site.

"I'm really excited about the kitchen," he said.

Anderson has an extensive background in the culinary industry, having studied at Johnson & Wales University and the University of Delaware. He worked in a several restaurants before fate led him to purchase the poster board and card table several years ago.

"I never would have guessed life turning out like this, but I couldn't be happier," he said. "I own a business on Route 1 in Rehoboth. I feel like I'm living the dream."

For more information, email andersonsproducede@yahoo.com.

302-537-1881, ext. 209

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