The warm weather had me in the mood for a Farmer’s market, but none to be found…yet. So off to Sheridan Fruit Company it is! Have you never been? The place has got a little bit of history and is well worth a walk through. Bring your wallet, you’ll get hungry just being there!
In 1916 John Sheridan began an open air produce market on Union Avenue. In 1946 it was purchased by the Poleo Brothers whose family still owns and operates The Sheridan Fruit Company today. Under their guidance it began to grow and grow. The wholesale operation began in 1950 with Meier and Frank as its only customer. Today it serves many of the better restaurants in and around the Portland Metropolitan area.
The people who work at Sheridan were a bit weirded out by our cameras, but once they found out it was going to be on Little Bay Root, they pulled back any hesitation. So off we went snapping away photos. Right through the front door are the cashiers who greet most everyone with a big H-E-L-L-O. I instinctively dart to the right, down a deli aisle that must be hustling and bustling during the work week, but was closed today (Saturday). Just my luck. Custom made sandwiches are available here during the week. One aisle over are 3 round tables draped in cobalt blue tablecloths where you can relax and enjoy your sandwich and a cup of espresso if you like. Lots of juices to choose from, and not Minute Maid! Check out what we picked up below. Around the corner is the meat counter where there are several “brontosaurus bones” on display. The man at the deli told us they sell 3-4 of these 3 foot long bones a day. I’m glad I don’t have to pick up that dog poop! Seafood, dairy. Oh, glass milk bottles. I love em. We used to have those in New Hampshire growing up. I think they still deliver there. Make your way down 3 or 4 pretty regular looking grocery aisles and you’ve hit produce-ville. Local, fresh. Nuts, fruits, greens, and lots of pears. Love those for salads. Just through past the produce is the bulk food area. Barrels and barrels of bulk items. Seeds, spices, four, rices, you name it!
Here’s what we walked away with:
- 4 yams
- Dry hummus mix
- 1 Ginger Beer
- 1 Dandelion and Burdock Soda
- 1 Kombucha
- 1 Vita Coco coconut and mango juice
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 Peppermint and Dark Chocolate bar
- 3 vine-ripe tomatoes
It’s great to see a locally owned company thrive by supporting the local growers and producers in the area. For me, it’s great to see all the wonderful design on the labels that brand these companies. This is a great pit stop to pick up a few things before hitting the East Bank Esplanade. So anyway, here’s the photos from the urban safari.
So that’s my verbal trip, but the photos speak for themselves.
Its right across the street from Office Depot on MLK a few blocks south of Burnside going towards Sellwood/Milwaukee. They are doing construction on some of the sidestreets, but good news is that there is a parking lot right out front with just enough spaces for everyone to look like its always busy. After going here, its off to Sellwood, the Esplanade, Rejuvenation Hardware, more tile stores than you could imagine, the huge Goodwill store, or even the interesting Cash & Carry Grocery store (hint: Wear a sweater so you can peruse the meat and other coolers in comfort…or else your nose, ears, and fingernails will turn a nice frostbite blue!)