THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411150156
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
INSTEAD OF ROTATING crops, Norfolk Farm Market owner Mick Shaw rotates locations.
He has had three sites since opening his first store at the foot of the Granby Street bridge in 1988. After being forced off of Little Creek Road in late 1993, Shaw's present spot on Military Highway may not be available much longer. The status of the 35-acre plot is in limbo, and the land may fall to future commercial development.
``We're like gypsies,'' Shaw said. ``It seems like we're always on the move. We're negotiating with the landlord right now.''
Although the market has had some difficulty holding down a permanent location, it hasn't had any problem cultivating customers. Its harvest of fresh produce and flowers in the summer, pumpkins and gourds in the fall, and Christmas trees and firewood during the holidays has sprouted a loyal following at each site.
``They had great vegetables, and I loved the shrimp truck,'' said Lamar Whitmore, a Norfolk housewife who shopped at the Little Creek Road location.
The enterprise has been augmented by attractions such as hay rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and hot-air balloon rides, becoming a favorite for parents and kids alike. More than 15,000 area school children have visited the market over the past year.
``Everything is geared toward kids and families,'' Shaw said. ``I think we've captured the hearts of the community with our hands-on experience of farm and country folklore.''
The former owner of Landscape Design, Shaw left his Norfolk retail gardening business in 1987 to start his first farm market. The basic concept was to bring in fresh, seasonal produce from the country and sell it in the city in an open-air setting.
``I went from horticulture to agriculture,'' said Shaw, a 34-year-old Norfolk native.
``I thought the venture would have less overhead with a minimal capital outlay. We brought a piece of the country to the city,'' explained Shaw, who has a bachelor's degree in business from Old Dominion University and is a certified Virginia nurseryman.
The two-acre site at the southeastern corner of the Granby Street bridge was a success its first year.
``We found out the desire for a farm market in Norfolk was incredible,'' Shaw said.
But due to some zoning and code problems, the market had to relocate in 1991. It moved to a 10-acre location on Little Creek Road opposite Roosevelt Shopping Center. It was at this spot that Shaw and his assistants began growing their own crops and offering hay rides and field trips for kids. They grew watermelons, tomatoes, corn, butter beans, squash and more. What they didn't grow, they had shipped in.
``Business was fantastic,'' Shaw said.
However, in late 1993 another snag came. The Calvary Revival Church bought the land and didn't continue the market's lease. Shaw spent eight months looking before finding the present site on Military Highway, just north of Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Although October and Halloween was a banner period - Shaw's ``Great Pumpkin Patch'' was the biggest in Hampton Roads - the market's future remains uncertain. The business exists from day to day.
``I can't complain, though,'' Shaw said. ``I feel a lot of gratitude toward our landlord. He made this site possible.''
Shaw is used to the inconveniences brought on by operating a farm market in an urban setting.
``There's been a long journey of red tape to keep this going in Norfolk,'' he said. ``The city is a financial and cultural center and long removed from agriculture. Some people think a farm market and a flea market are the same thing.''
Unlike Virginia Beach and other Hampton Roads cities, open-air markets are restricted in Norfolk. There must be a permanent building and various water, sewer and health department requirements must be met. Finding an urban site with enough acreage is also a problem. But Shaw has his supporters at city hall.
``We've had the mayor driving one of our tractors, and Councilman Randy Wright has always been behind us,'' Shaw said.
The market also has made friends of local civic leagues through a number of charitable donations. Shaw recently gave $5,300 from hayride revenues to help with renovations at Northside Middle School. He raised $1,200 for the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. He also donated supplies and materials for area schools' haunted-house projects.
``What he's done for the local communities and the kids has been out of the kindness of his heart,'' said Mark Manning, a member of the Estabrook Civic League in Norfolk.
While Shaw continues to negotiate with his landlord, he keeps a watchful eye on every available piece of vacant land in the city. Optimistic, Shaw promises to be somewhere in Norfolk for his ``Winter Wonderland'' of Christmas trees and holiday activities.
``We're always ready with an alternate plan,'' Shaw said. ``We have a loyal following, and this is my living. We're going to find a way to do it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SCOTT McCASKEY
Mick Shaw's ``Great Pumpkin Patch'' was the biggest in Hampton Roads
during the Halloween season.
by CNB