Lil' Shack Produce Stand Offers Fresh Ideas for 2013 Season

The Lil' Shack produce stand on West Meyer is fast becoming a landmark for Wentzville residents, who look forward to fresh red tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and other locally-grown produce.

With the business now in its third season, owners Jimmy, Mary and Jamie Cummings have some new offerings, including locally-produced honey, fresh eggs and Amish-made jellies, apple butter and pickled beets.

The business, which started as a retirement project for the Cummings, has become a popular seasonal business.

When Patch visited recently, Mary Cummings pointed out a basket of salt and pepper packets behind a display of ripe red Amish tomatoes.

"We have local construction workers who stop in for a tomato, and they asked for salt and pepper so they can eat them right away."

Mary also talked about neighborhood kids coming in to shop for their families. "And the last thing on their lists is an ice cream for themselves," she said.

The Lil' Shack has added some new events this year. Once a month, the shop will host a bake sale of homemade Amish goods. Those sales are scheduled for June 8, July 13 and Aug. 10.

Two local youth baseball teams, The Crush and The Hurricanes, will be selling barbecue pork steaks and brats at the stand on June 29, July 20, Aug. 31, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26.

The Lil' Shack even has plans for this fall and winter. Fall will bring mums and pumpkins to the roadside produce stand, and Christmas trees will be back in November.