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Providing Fresh Fruits And Vegetables

Tribune photo by JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA

Paula Cortez organizes bell peppers as she waits for customers at her produce stand, Angelo’s Produce, in Seminole Heights.

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Sandwiched between the Seminole Heights Post Office and Mauricio Faedo's Bakery, Paula Cortez and her husband, Angelo Ortiz, last month opened a vegetable and fruit stand called Angelo's Produce.

The couple, who moved from Fort Myers to Tampa two years ago, likes the location because of regulars who visit the post office and bakery, and the steady traffic on Florida Avenue.

When business slows during cold and rainy days, Cortez, 55, passes time playing hand-held video games. On a recent cold day, Ortiz, 64, settled into the driver's side of their truck to try to keep warm.

They generally both are on hand at the vacant lot from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and on Sunday. They set up a few miles north on Saturday, at Florida and Linebaugh avenues.

Customers regularly stop by the Seminole Heights stand to check out and buy fruits - tangerines, pears, oranges and bananas - and vegetables - onions, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, corn and bell peppers.

Cortez took five minutes to talk about their business:

Q: How long have you been here?

A: "We have been here since the second week of December. Someone told us that an old man used to sell produce here. He hasn't been here in a long time. We decided to ask the owner (of the bakery) if we could set up here and how much he would charge us. He said no charge, just set up here. He said make sure we keep it clean."

Q What sells well?

A. "Blood oranges. They are called navel red oranges. They are our number one sell. People love them because they are sweet."

Q. What else is popular?

A. "We always keep bananas. People like them. ... Sometimes they come here and buy a bunch. They eat one or two before they leave the stand because it is so good."

Q. What do you do on your off time?

A. "Mondays, I have to clean the house. I have to cook, do laundry, go to the store and get a few items. Monday night is the only night I get to go to Bingo. It's the only time I have to relax."

Q. Where do you get your produce?

A. "Sometimes we go to Plant City or Tampa Market, just around the corner."

Q. Do you enjoy working at the produce stand?

A. "This is fun. I like it. I like retail. I like helping people."

Q. What's your future at your current location?

A. "I think we are going to be here for a good while. I wish a million people would come by. It would give us a week to rest."

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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