Detwiler's Farm Market opens in Parkway Collection center in north Sarasota

SARASOTA -- It had been the buzz in the neighborhood for months that Detwiler's Farm Market was coming to the Parkway Collection shopping center at Lockwood Ridge Road and University Parkway.

Thursday, the new Detwiler's store, the family's third and by far the largest at 29,000-square-feet, opened and was immediately jammed with smiling customers.

"I like it, it's a lot bigger than the other Detwiler's. You can't find better produce. They have the best lunch meat and best vegetables," said Doug Shippee of Bradenton.

The new Detwiler's is located in space formerly occupied by Sweetbay supermarket. Next door, also in the former supermarket space, is a new Miller's Dutch Haus Furniture, which opens Friday.

"This is a great alternative to the supermarkets," said family patriarch Henry Detwiler Sr.

Detwiler's is locally famous for the freshness and quality of its produce, and readily will make it right for any customer dissatisfied with a purchase.

Walking over to the produce department, Detwiler offers a tip on looking for fresh tomatoes.

"To see if a tomato is fresh, look for a 'white eye,'" he said, pointing to where the stem was detached from the fruit.

Detwiler's other farm markets are in Sarasota and Venice.

"I have been looking at this location for three or four years, but wasn't ready before to make a move," Detwiler said. "It's a nice store in a nice area. We are reaching out to Bradenton and Sarasota, and this will help pull some of the pressure off the Sarasota store."

Detwiler's is always looking for deals on produce, and having a third store open gives the company even more buying power, Detwiler said.

Still to come at the new store is a bakery and meat counter, where customers can have their steaks cut to order.

Henry Detwiler Jr. -- some in the family call him "Little Henry" -- noted that his brother, Sam, brought in several truckloads of fresh produce to get the store open.

Customers were lining up for free ice cream cones Thursday, and checking out opening specials, such as $3.99 a pound off-the-bone

ham, $3.99 a pound hickory-smoked bacon and $9.99 a pound Scottish salmon.

Also offered was organic kale for $1.99 a bunch, plus another bunch free and cherries for $1.99 a pound.

"There is no one that does produce like us," Sam Detwiler said.

Detwiler's is open 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Sundays.

Henry Detwiler Sr. is also a pastor. The family closes the business on Sundays to hear his sermons.

"The community has blessed us and we feel an obligation to bless them in return," Henry Jr. said.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.

This story was originally published February 19, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Detwiler's Farm Market opens in Parkway Collection center in north Sarasota ."