A grown-up love letter to childhood play, family memories, and the unexpected joy of the farmers’ market.
Who Didn’t Play Store as a Kid?
Those long, screen-free summer days were filled with imaginary play — and for me, “store” was always a favorite. I can still picture it: everything neatly lined up — stuffed animals, dolls, books, keychains — all for sale. On special days, I even added price tags and pulled out the very realistic counterfeit money.
The best “store days” were when a friend was over. We’d set up shop, take turns as customer and cashier, and swap stories over piles of inventory and pretend dollars. Honestly, even now as an adult, the idea of working a real register still brings me joy. (How many hard Principal days did I daydream of scanning groceries at Target? Red is my favorite color, and I can rock some khakis!)
The Kids, the Store, and the Disappearing Kitchen Tools
When our daughters were little, they had an actual play store — complete with a scanner and counter. Though they were four years apart in age, they still played together for hours on end. Everything in the house was fair game to “sell.” Missing a needed kitchen item? It didn’t take long to figure out where it went, and for just a mere pretend $10, I knew exactly where I could get it! A day of cleaning meant double-checking the grocery bags around the house because there was likely an important gadget inside every one of them!
And when cousins were around? Oh, it was on. Ten grandkids, one rainy vacation day, and the whole cabin turned into a bustling retail district. My favorite store memory came from the youngest cousin who, desperate for customers, wandered around the house advertising in the sweetest little voice:
“Come to my sto. We got Baaabie shings!”
Fast Forward: The Garden Grows — and So Does the Fun
When our Texas-sized garden exploded with more produce than we could ever eat (or give away), Jeff discovered a local farmers’ market. We gave it a try. I had no idea how much I would love it.
“The farmers’ market has all the best from my childhood imagination — and even more.”
Set up the table. Price the goods. Organize the tomatoes just right. Smile at strangers who soon become friends. Go home with a little less produce and a little more joy. The work of planting, harvesting, and selling tapped into something deep in me — the satisfaction of meaningful work, the delight in people, and the magic of playing store… for real.
Good. Better. Best.
Good is being proud of the work. Every tomato, cucumber, and onion placed just so. Just right to protect, to shine, to invite.
Better is meeting new people — vendors with stories, customers with gardens of their own, and moments of shared laughter and learning.
Best is knowing someone walks away with more than produce.
“Maybe they leave with farm-fresh veggies, or maybe they leave inspired to plant something of their own.” That’s when you know your efforts plant more than seeds.
Full Circle Joy: Tomatoes and Play Money
As a child, I told people I would grow up to be a train engineer, then a flight attendant, then a lawyer. But usually, I was playing store.
And recently at the market, one of our granddaughters tugged at my arm and said,
“Pinkie, wanna play store?” She had tomatoes to sell. I got to choose my produce, she rang me up (a quarter, mind you), and wished me a happy day. And suddenly, all my childhood play and grand parenting came full circle.
So – Why Farmers’ Market?
Because it’s play. Because it’s people. Because it’s purpose. Because a little girl once said:
“Come to my sto. We got the shings!” And now I get to say the same.
