Allison's has been produce-ing quality selections since 1950

Ledger photo / JOE L. HUGHES II Diana Allison (middle) and her 10-year-old daughter Haley (right) help a customer during a visit to Allison's Produce on Thursday. Daily business at Allison's Produce store on Floyd Baker Boulevard is a family affair as everyone young and old plays a role in its success.

Since 1950, Allison's has been a popular location for customers to satisfy their need for fresh fruits and vegetables. The store was started by Dennis Allison Sr. and was named The Garden Spot, gaining local acclaim for its fresh produce.

For many of the early years, his son Dennis Jr. helped him with the family enterprise. Following his father both in the field and on trips to find the best produce available, the young man quickly learned what it took to maintain the business for years to come.

"I've been doing this for as long as I can remember," said Dennis Allison Jr. "I can recall helping my dad do things at the store and making sure customers were able to find the fruits and vegetables they needed."

Now many years later, Dennis Jr. has taken over the family business while his father has relocated to Asheville, N.C. However, the goal remains the same - to provide the best produce available.

"I will take a trip to Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee... anywhere, so I can get the best fruits and vegetables available for my customers," Dennis Allison Jr. said. "There is a lot of pride that I take in this job, and I take it seriously. So I believe it is my job to bring back the best."

Allison does not purchase bulk amounts of produce without first taking a look at the items, sometimes tasting it to be sure it is worthy of his customers.

Such work has paid dividends for the store owner, as he has been able to maintain his regular customer base locally as well as attract buyers from surrounding areas.

"Some of the people who come in here I have seen since I was a young child working with my father," Dennis Allison Jr. said. "But we have seen people come from other places like Chesnee, Spartanburg and especially Shelby come in and purchase produce from us."

Allison also finds himself being a servant to the needy, sometimes giving fruit and vegetables to homeless Gaffney residents.

"What would you do if it was Jesus asking you for something to eat ... would you turn him away?" Dennis Allison Jr. asked. "It is my job to work for God and feed His people. I can't turn away those who are hungry."

Lessons learned as a child watching his father conduct business at Allison's are now being passed down by Dennis Jr. to his children, all of whom have a role in the family store. Ranging from age 6 to 11, the youths can be seen doing everything from running a register to unloading a truck.

"This is a family thing, and I could not be prouder," Dennis Allison Jr. said. "This is what I did as a child and it feels good to see my children doing the same. I know that once I decide to step away from the business, one of my kids can take it and be successful."