Council Bluffs woman operates produce stand for decades

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) - It’s that time of year. We’re beginning to see roadside fruit and vegetable stands pop up in the metro.

For 24 years, a fruit and vegetable stand has stood on the corner of West Kanesville Blvd. and 8th St. in Council Bluffs.

For over two decades, Claudia Burk has been selling fruits and vegetables here. But, her years in the business go back to when she was a kid and her grandfather owned a big open air fruit market.

“That was in Knoxville, Iowa. So, I was raised from the time I was three in this business. He taught me how to do all this,” Burk said.

Burk has been doing what her grandfather taught her ever since.

“I love the people, I love the work... I get to be outside. Some days its not so pleasant when you deal with the heat and rain, but most of the time it’s a lot of fun.”

It can also be a lot of work. Picking up heavy melons and preparing little pieces of fruit for her customers to sample.

“People want to know what stuff tastes like before they buy it. Pink pineapple for example, many people have never heard of pink pineapple,” Burk said.

It’s that kind of service that keeps her customers coming back.

Pam Johnson travels from Missouri Valley to buy fruit from Claudia.

“I know these folks are always going to be here and they always treat you right. Their produce is wonderful, so its worth coming here,” Johnson said.

But, Burk told 6 News that this business, like most, has changed over the years. She said many people prefer to shop at big stores instead of her little roadside stand. But Claudia said she is doing okay.

“We have a lot of customers because we’ve been here so long. Probably 75% of my customers are over the age of 50,” Burk said. “But I have a lot of kids that come here and younger people that say, ‘I came here with my mom when I was a little girl.’”

Burk admits she’s getting older. She has her daughter-in-law Kate helping her out. Kate has been helping her for 14 years.

She’s hoping to take over when Burk retires.

“I love the thought of it. My mother in law, my father in law, Jack... they’ve made history at this spot and I’d love to continue that,” Kate said.

But Kate might have to wait awhile, Burk shows no signs of slowing down.

“My grandfather told me many, many, many years ago, ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,’ and I love this business.”

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