‘Hello Kid’: The end of an era with the closure of the iconic fruit stand

Hello Child.

Hi darling.

hey junior how are you

These were just a few of the familiar greetings that many who ventured into Johnson’s Farmer’s Market would hear from Jimmy “Chickens” Johnson.

But now, that friendly greeting, or some variation of another jovial retort from Johnson, has fallen silent with the closing of his family’s iconic County Road 93 fruit and vegetable stand.

For years, Johnson dealt with money and shared story after story about his life as a top hockey player and superlative athlete in Midland or whatever subject happened to catch his fancy that particular day. And those passing by to buy a pie, a basket of apples, perhaps a dozen corn or some fresh tomatoes always seemed eager to listen and enjoy the repartee.

Many in the area are now expressing their collective sadness as the landmark business, frequented by thousands over the years, has closed for the last time.

Local Garnet Reid called it “the end of an era” here in Midland.

“We will truly miss Mr. Johnson, his staff, and his familiar greeting … ‘Hi, kid,'” Reid noted. “Thank you Mr. Johnson and family for your many decades of service to this community.”

Debbie Pender-Messenger says Johnson will be missed, as well as his big smile and his always-available presence when it comes to friendly conversation.

“Not only will the store be the end of an era, but so will the dances that took place at The Rooster Tail, right behind the store. Lots of good times with Midland folks and out of town folks. Live music every Saturday night.”

Bonnie Curry-Desjardins also fondly remembers her and her brother Bruce riding their bikes down an old road between the highway and the houses to get candy from (Jimmy’s father) Vern and Mrs. Johnson’s store.

“And we’d say ‘hello’ to Jimmy. Manson and Eileen Curry, my parents, bought a lot of garden supplies and flowers from their store and were good neighbors for many years,” she noted.

“Years later, Bruce went to the Rooster’s Tail many nights to meet the ‘chicks’ and dance. Jimmy kept the place after his parent’s death and always had kind words reminiscing about the old days! I will miss Johnson’s Fruit Market as well as the Johnson family.”

Former Media Village columnist Rene Hackstetter wrote about Johnson in this 2020 article, where he described those who visit the stand on their way between their jobs in Toronto and local cottages.

“Johnson’s Farmer’s Market is a boarding house of sorts, a waypoint of sorts along the route to the Magic Islands of Georgian Bay,” Hackstetter wrote.

“Chickens is indeed an old master, a gatekeeper, guarding these sacred precincts from the profane. He pretends to be the roadside greengrocer, but there are many more.”