Florida native Evelyn Allen has been involved in the produce business since 1985 when she and her husband drove semi-trucks packed with produce all across the country.

It was this love of all things fresh and budding that sparked the idea for Allen’s Dry Creek Market.

“I know produce, I’ve hauled produce, but I’ve never retailed produce. So, it will be a different experience for me,” Allen said.

“The point is, I know quality produce, so now I want to take a little bit of what I know and pass it on. My sister complains all the time about not being able to find quality produce in this area.”

After making the decision to come to Alabama, Allen began searching for the perfect spot to open Allen’s Dry Creek Market, located at the former Finlay’s Curb Market on Hwy 331 between Luverne and Brantley.

“My goal when I retired was to move to Zone 8, and I had originally planned on moving to South Carolina. Well, when my sister moved here about five years ago, I said we’ll look at it,” Allen said.

“We got a good deal on this place, and now that I’m retired I can open it and run it myself.”

Along with fresh, seasonal produce, Allen’s will also offer an assortment of plants-seasonal, tropical and more.

Allen says the market will offer a wide variety of indoor plants to go along with the current trend of adorning the inside of houses with potted plants.

Allen says she will also stock novelty items for the tourist and beach traffic, and also plans to open a convenience store that will offer Pepsi and Coca-Cola products and other snacks.

The curb market is set to open on March 1, and a grand opening will be scheduled at a later date.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and growing,” Allen said.