Last week my parents, E.B., and I took our yearly trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is a trip I’ve taken with my parents ever since I was born, so I always look forward to saying hello to the Gulf of Mexico.
Somewhere between Hattiesburg, MS, and the coast on Hwy 49 is a little town called Seminary, MS. A few years ago, there was a huge building that housed a roadside produce stand. We had stopped there once before but had not in several years. My parents always make sure to stop at a roadside produce stand on the way back for fresh produce to take home. Not that we can’t get it in a store, but my mom has this thing about buying produce grown in other places. Apparently, some things are better when grown elsewhere. Needless to say, stopping at this huge roadside produce place was a real bore for me, although it did have decent restrooms.
On the way home, my dad spotted the big produce stand. Or what he thought was the big produce stand. The place was called The Watermelon Patch, and I knew better what was really inside. However, I thought my dad was just looking for the nearest restroom, so I said nothing. A huge watermelon on the side of the highway greeted visitors. The words YELLOWBOX also greeted my flip-flop lovin’ eyes. I had always wanted to stop here and couldn’t believe my dad actually did.
Once we entered the Watermelon Patch, my dad had a stunned look on his face. The beloved produce stand was now a flip flop lovin’, Southern Girl tee-shirt-wearin’ dream come true! Rows upon rows of fabulous shoes and shirts, beach bags, jewelry, and all manner of bright, shiny beautifulness a girl could want! I had to stop and take it all in before I knew where to start first. Poor Dad found their restrooms while Mom, E.B., and I looked around. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
I ended up purchasing a beach bag, a keychain with my initials, and this cute t-shirt with a crawfish fleur-de-lis on the back.
When we got back to the car, my dad proclaimed he NEVER would have stopped had he known what was inside. I played dumb. I’m just glad I finally got to experience The Watermelon Patch. I mean, where else can you get a picture of your kid beside a gigantic watermelon?
EDIT- 4/18/2024
Today I learned that The Watermelon Patch is now Sole Sisters. I’ve checked out the website, and it looks like the same great shoes, tees, and more!
Can u tell me what was the name of the fruit stand that was there before the watermelon patch?
I can’t remember. It may not have even been a fruit stand, but I could have sworn it was. We only traveled that way about once a year, if that, so I never paid very much attention.
Is the watermelon patch store still in business. I am coming from monroe Louisiana on Tuesday would really like to know that it is still open
Hi Sharon. I haven’t been that way in a few years, but from all of my research online it looks as if it is there but it’s called Sole Sisters now. Hope that helps!