Family-run business Balemans Produce will be closing in January. (Balemans Produce: Facebook)
City Market staple Balemans Produce is closing come January.
The produce stand has been operating in the market for 55 years.
Owner Robert Balemans, who’s been running the stall for the past 30 years, says he’s ready to retire.
“I’ve been here 30 years. I’m 65 now. 30 years is a long time. I haven’t done anything for the past 30 years besides work, so I thought I’d take it a little bit easier,” he said.
Balemans hopes to maintain a community presence down the road, but for now, he says its time for a break.
“It’s hard, but after that many years, and I was here working for my father before that, it’s time to slow it down,” he said.
He’s unsure what will come into the space after him.
Balemans says he’s built a solid customer base over the years.
“We’ve been here a lot of years. A lot of people have been saying they’re going to miss us, and we’re going to miss them too,” he said.
The stall will be closing on January 1st.
