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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend April 21, 2006 Having just signed a two-year lease and re-opened Wednesday, the new operators have re-designed the shop's interior. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Fresh faces peddle fresh produce Roadside produce shop re-opens under new ownership, with new products and a new layout By GREG STILES Mail Tribune There are new faces, new wall murals and even an array of imported English goods this spring at White's Country Farm. Mark Medeiros and Linda Copeland have taken over operation of the roadside produce venue from Chris Knox, a longtime manager for the White family who ran the enterprise on his own in recent years. The duo re-opened the business on the corner of Jacksonville Highway and Arnold Lane on Wednesday. "If you were in here last year, you won't recognize the place," said Copeland of the longtime Rogue Valley fresh produce haven. Punctuating the 1,200-square-foot store's transformation are vineyard and barn scenes by Jacksonville muralist John Michener. Advertisement "With all the vegetables and color, it's very impressive," said Copeland. Medeiros, 41, has been in the produce and grocery business for 25 years, the past two with Cartwright's Valley Meat Co., and prior to that with Safeway in Eugene. Copeland, 49, was most recently in the business office for Cartwright's and owned Rogue River Inn in Grants Pass before that. She's also sold English groceries through First Mom's Club in Phoenix and Grants Pass and Bridge End Antiques in Rogue River in recent years. The couple, who recently relocated from Grants Pass, heard from a supplier of Knox's departure into construction. They met with Tom White and signed a two-year lease last month. "Based on Mark's experience, Tom agreed to let us take over," Copeland said. "We got a good deal, and the Whites were anxious for the business to continue. We're here indefinitely," Copeland said. "We've been working around the clock until we dropped, cleaning and clearing out the old building. We started from scratch, painting everything and sewing curtains." Armed with Knox's vendor list and drop-ins, Medeiros and Copeland are lining up crops for the season ahead. "We've got corn, cucumbers, bell peppers, strawberries and tomatoes in the works, and who knows what else will come in," Copeland said. Strawberries are usually on the leading edge of local produce, but won't be ready to pick as early this year, she said. "The season has been delayed with all the rain." English imports, via Los Angeles, including teas, biscuits, sauces and candies, will provide a change of pace for past shoppers. Local goods from Mellelo's Coffee, Village Bakery, Choo Choo Chili and Butte Creek Mill are also stocked. The store will carry organic produce as well. Copeland said fall harvest events long associated with White's, such as the petting zoo and pumpkin patch maze, will continue. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisements Advertisement