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Highlands Today

Squatters Or Entrepreneurs?

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Part-time Lake Placid resident John Carson picks up tomatoes and squash from a roadside stand on Friday just north of Lake Placid. Carson said he always buys produce from the roadside stand when it is open.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: November 12, 2007

LAKE PLACID — It all depends on who you talk to.

Some call the vendors who hawk fresh vegetables along the roadside "squatters," while regular customers talk about bargains. As the local growing seasons change, the fare varies from strawberries to oranges and melons.

A pair of longtime produce vendors along U.S. 27 – just north of the Lake Placid town border – don't know whose property they sell from.

Vendor Marta Morales comes from Plant City and said her brother has occupied the paved section of property north of Lake Placid for more than five years.

Morales sells from the bed of a pick-up truck. She said her business is composed of mostly repeat customers.

"People come back," said Morales. "The Americans especially – it's cheaper than the supermarket."

The managers of all Lake Placid-area supermarkets refused comment for publication about whether they considered roadside stands as competition or if the vendors competed on a level playing field.

A man who refused to give his full name, but goes by the first name "Bill," said he is a Lake Placid resident and works three days a week selling produce purchased at wholesale prices in Immokalee and Plant City.

Bill said it takes at least a half hour to set up a tent transported by pick-up truck and held by portable cement blocks, and he cleans litter from the lot.

Bill has worked along U.S. 27 near Lake Placid for six years. He said that since his business is located on municipal right of way property, he may legally operate such a business.

On Friday, John White stopped by Bill's produce stand.

"I couldn't live without this man's vegetables – the best prices of vegetables I've found anywhere," said White.

April Hartseil, Highlands County interim code enforcement director, said occupational licenses are no longer required or issued by the county.

Hartseil said she regularly butts heads with Plant City strawberry vendors who simply pick up shop and park at another roadside location after receiving a a warning.

"I used to chase them from place to place," said Hartseil.

The interim director said that legality at a certain location is often dictated by the zoning district a business occupies.

Vendor "Bill" is located in a B-3 district and the business district property is zoned for use of heavy machinery sales, a produce stand or a railroad freight yard.

Teresa Glavey, zoning clerk, said complaints are taken seriously. The Florida Department of Transportation and property owners are able to complain about vendors.

"Any citizen can make a complaint," said Glavey.

Arlene Tuck, Lake Placid town clerk, said the town issues occupational permits and peddler's licenses. She said that businesses are required to have restrooms and a license.

"They can only stop long enough to sell to you and get back into the truck and leave," said Tuck, about those who operate under a peddler's license.

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