money Cape Coral Farmers Market Find: Happy Pickle vendor couldn't be happier
It was while repairing roofs Floridians lost during Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 that Mark Webster fell in love with Florida.
And it was from going to farmers markets around the state that Webster saw the business possibilities of having specialized products.
Like pickles and olives.
For the last 13 years, the Lehigh resident has been sharing his ‘Happy Pickle’ endeavor with farmers markets in Cape Coral, Marco Island, Punta Gorda, Englewood and Sarasota.
“The first customer we had walks up and says, ‘Where have you guys been? I’ve been looking all over for this,’“ Webster said. “I felt like this is it, this is what I was made to do.
“We have great pickles, olives and all I say is, ‘What are you looking for? how can I help you?’ I’ll tell jokes, sing songs. It was just about finding the right market, the right manager, the right people. We’re not getting rich, but it’s a decent living.”
While working in Florida, Webster estimates he put roofs on 40-50 homes.
“They definitely rolled out the red carpet,” he said. "They allowed me to stay in their homes.”
After doing a variety of odd jobs over the next year, times got tough for Webster.
A layoff. Divorce. Alcoholism. Stroke.
“The doctor told me to quit drinking or die,” Webster said. “I haven’t had a drink since. Completely sober.”
While a friend found him a variety of jobs, another friend took him to a festival.
“There was a kettle corn stand and I couldn’t believe the lines,” Webster said. “People waited for hours. I said, ‘That’s crazy.’ One time we went to the mall and saw all these tents. I said, ‘This is great.’ “
The sealer came when people waited in line for what seemed like miles at a pickle stand.
“It’s better than scrounging for eight to $10 an hour,” Webster said.
Working with his three sons, Webster gets his pickles from wholesalers and then does his own enhancing, which includes fresh garlic, peppers and jalapenos, as well as spicy horseradish for bread-and-butter pickles.
“I had someone in Marco tell me they’ve gone all over the world, Spain, Italy, and he said, ‘These are the best olives,’” Webster said. “They’ve been customers for years.”
If you go
What: The Happy Pickle
Where: Farmers markets from Marco Island to Sarasota, including the Cape Coral farmers market, downtown Club Square, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
Follow: The Happy Pickle on Facebook for more information.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Pickle, olive lovers happy with this Cape Coral farmers market find
