Fresh fruit, vegetables and baked goods from North Side are available in George Town again with the re-opening of Willie’s Fruit Stand.
Willie’s had been on Shamrock Road near the Mary Miller Hall. The stand has now been moved closer to the Grand Harbour Shopping Centre, but a little further off the same Shamrock Road.
The new location is safer for customers, said manager Mr. Jeff Ebanks, and it provides more parking. The previous location was felt to be a little too close to traffic.
Jeff is the son of Mr. Willie Ebanks and his wife, Miss Zelmalee, who started the stand in 1999.
It is now open Monday through Saturday, 11am until 7pm. The 11am opening means that every bit of produce can be fresh picked that morning at the family farm or fresh baked in Miss Zelmalee’s kitchen.
The Ebanks family is proud to say that nothing sold at the stand is imported.
Seasonal fruits available are oranges, grapefruit, papaya and June plums. Other produce includes pumpkin, peppers, okra, callaloo and plantain.
Baked treats range from banana bread and coconut tarts to heavy cakes, corn custard and papaya cookies. Right now the heavy cakes are pumpkin and cassava.
Of course, the famous fruit smoothies are also available, including the house specialty – a banana, papaya and mango combination.
Some people like to make the trip to North Side and visit Whistling Duck Farm, named by family members for the West Indian Whistling Ducks they have encouraged over the years.
Miss Zelmalee noted that customers often phone ahead and ask to come up for specific items. Her home is open to visitors practically seven days a week.
As to Willie’s Fruit Stand, Jeff does open on a Sunday if customers have asked for something he’s out of on Saturday but knows he can bring in.
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