GO LOCAL

Ricky's Produce

STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT & PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

When traveling from Alexander City to the Kowaliga Bridge, it’s hard to miss the fresh produce stand located just past Patriot Gas Station at state Route 128. Ricky Hicks has been selling fresh fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies there for 16 years, but the history of the business goes back three generations.

Hick’s grandfather, Lee Minor, started the business with a produce stand on Old U.S. Route 280 for more than 30 years.

“My grandfather was the first to do this in the area, and no one else did it for years,” explained Hicks.

As his grandfather got older, Hicks’ father, Artie, started helping him. After his grandfather passed, Artie took over the stand and eventually moved it to Alexander City. The produce is sourced out of Birmingham, so his father would drive to Finley Avenue to get the freshest selections.

“I never planned to get into this business,” Hicks said. “I was working in fiber optic cable. As my dad got older, I was worried about him driving to that part of Birmingham, so I quit my job to help him.”

Artie kept the stand going for 20 years; then, the family tradition continued. When Artie died, Hicks decided to keep running the business.

He lives in Clanton with his wife of 45 years, Sandra, and he’s one of the first in the area to get those highly-sought-after fresh, sweet Chilton County peaches each season. Hicks puts out a special sign to announce the arrival of the summer treat and usually keeps them in stock at the stand until the peaches are gone.

His most popular item, though, is tomatoes.

“I have more people stop by for tomatoes than anything else. They are really good,” he said.

Ricky’s Produce is open six days a week, every day but Sunday. The stand used to operate from March to October, but Hicks has decided to cut back a bit and will be open from May to October in the future. Patrons can visit the stand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While Sandra and he have two adult children, it’s not likely either of them will take over the family business when Hicks decides he’s sold his last peach.

“My daughter, Kim, is a counselor at Verbena High School, and my son, Brian, is a computer wiz, so they won’t be taking over the business.”

Enjoy it while you can, now that you know it’s more than just a produce stand; it’s been a family business at Lake Martin for many years.

Three Generations of Farmstand Foods

Facing Page: Ricky Hicks took over the farmstand when his aging father needed help, just as his father had helped his grandfather, who built the original stand; Right (top to bottom): Hicks gets his vegetables in Clanton, which is known for its fresh, flavorful produce; He also sells local jams, jellies and sauces; Hands down, tomatoes are his most popular produce item.