Sever's Farm Market Opens at Southdale this Friday

Starting Friday, June 24, a familiar green and yellow tent will stand in the parking lot of America's oldest enclosed shopping center, the Southdale Center. It marks the opening of Sever's Farm Market in Edina, which is practically a summer tradition.

"It's an annual market that we enjoy having," said Southdale's Director of Marketing and Business Development Anne Marie Cookson. "People look forward to it."

It's situated by the large water tower on the France Avenue side of the mall and offers shoppers what Cookson called "a traditional, old school farmers market," that sells fresh fruits and vegetables.

According to Cookson, the workers at Southdale are as excited about the return of Sever's stand as the mall's customers. With its convenient, drive-up site and ample parking, the striped tent draws impulse produce shoppers from the busy thoroughfare.

"We see a lot of families, couples and older people," said Nicola Peterson from Sever's Farm Market. "Southdale itself is such a landmark—we kind of see everybody."

Peterson's husband is the grandson of the original Sever Peterson, who settled the original farm homestead in the 1890's. It's an Eden Prairie-based family-run business that's been selling produce for many decades. The farm stands themselves have been in existence for 22 years. They also run the famous corn maze in Shakopee.

This year, they've got 17 summer markets across the metro area, which are manned by college students, teachers and other seasonal workers. The stands will carry their homegrown specialty, sweet corn, as well as tomatoes, musk melons, watermelons, onions, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, peaches, green beans and cherries.

"We don't grow everything, but we work with Minnesota growers to source most of the produce," said Peterson.

Corn, some peppers and cucumbers come directly from the family's property. The few non-local items at their gazebos are the Georgia peaches and the Indiana watermelons, but they do buy them directly from other farmers.

Sever's has been selling in Edina for more than 20 years, first at the Edina pool and then at Southdale for the last decade or so.

"It's a great location," said Peterson. "We love working with Southdale's leasing team. Everyone is so friendly, down to the security people."

Moreover, she loves how often people inside of Southdale spot her Sever's reusable tote and tell her how excited they are for the market to open. Look for similar bags to be at the stand this season.

Mon-Fri: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.