Karen Rennie has the quiet satisfaction manning her produce stand in Centerville Township.
The stand, on Townline Road about 1/4 mile east of M-22, was once part of the Eitzen homestead, now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
For years, Rennie’s children, Peter and Christina, operated a strawberry stand on Co. Rd. 651. But they have since grown up and moved away.
Then four years ago, Rennie decided to start her own stand, closer to her home, which overlooks Lake Michigan, Whaleback in the distance.
She began initially with flowers, but not long after expanded offerings to include Bardenhagen strawberries and “world famous” Rennie’s Slamin’ Jammin’ strawberry jam was offered.
“People are always asking for the recipe. It’s good, old fashioned jam,” she said, revealing the secret ingredient is Bardenhagen berries. “I ship it from Washington State to WashingtonD.C.” Thistimeof year her stand offers zucchini, new potatoes, green beans, pea pods and garlic.
But her patrons get more than produce. Rennie has lawn chairs where they can sit and take in the iconic view. And a bike rack for peddlers who can stop for a rest.
Roadside stands have been a part of Leelanau’s fabric for years. But the state adopted “cottage law” in 2010 opening a market for “value added” products like jams, jellies, eggs and even baked goods.
But not every patron has observed the honor system.
Just last week, an Antrim County woman was charged with second-degree retail fraud after allegedly taking candles valued at $75 to $100 without paying from a stand near Empire.
Rennie’s kids were the victims of theft from their strawberry stand. But, they did not come away with a loss.
When customers heard about it, the theft they received a $100 check from a patron to make up what they had lost due to theft.
“I think everyone has paid for everything I sold from my stand,” she said, explaining that cash and produce have balanced. “I get calls from people in the neighborhood who say, ‘I stopped by, but didn’t have the money.’” But the next day, the moneys owed have been deposited in the stand money box.
“If you expect honesty you’ll get it,” Rennie said. “I was just pleased they had something to eat.”
