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Couple Opens Produce Store

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: April 1, 2009

When deciding what type of business to open, Jim Bardwell opted to stick with something that was dear to his heart - health.

Bardwell and his wife Delana, opened Sunshine Natural Market, 4710 Land O' Lakes Blvd., in order to provide fresh local produce as well as a few health store items like some gluten-free foods. The store will not have just any kind of produce either. The couple plans to have a variety of produce, including locally grown, hydroponically grown, chemical free and certified organic.
Jim Bardwell said he was taught at a young age to take good care of himself by watching what he eats and he would like to pass on what he knows to his customers.

"I am not a health food nut, but I have always taken my vitamins and eaten as healthy as possible," Jim said. "I grew up that way. I was always told you are made of what you eat. If you take responsibility for your own health, then you take responsibility for the way you feel."

Delana Bardwell said when she is buying the produce for the store, she focuses on quality first.

"I am very picky about my produce," she said. "If it's not fresh enough that I would buy it for myself, then I am not buying it for the store. I love buying fresh produce at stands that I know have good quality, fresh produce at a good price and that is what I want to bring to Land O' Lakes."

The 1,000-square-foot store has opened with some fresh produce and will be adding a few items for the health store in the next month. Bardwell said he plans to have a small selection of health food items like Ezekiel bread and some dairy products like cheese and milk.

Patricia Zeidler said she is excited to see the produce store open. She said it is something Land O' Lakes really needs.

"I am happy to see an organic produce market in our neighborhood," Zeidler said. "The quality of the food is great and it already has the feel of a neighborhood place. I am glad we are getting more hip around here."

Blaine Neville of Land O' Lakes said he just noticed the shop as he was driving by with his wife, Jayne, and decided to stop in.

"The store has a nice variety and the salespeople are very nice," Neville said. "I used to pick tomatoes when I was a kid in West Palm Beach. I think West Palm Beach tomatoes are the best I have ever tasted so I was happy to see they have them here."

The hours of the store are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call the store at (813) 929-6655.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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