PART I

It was a bright Good Friday morning when Perry Wellness Center brought its Mobile Market once again to downtown Buena Vista, Georgia. This small town had the distinction of being the first stop on the 2023 Mobile Market tour of sites throughout Southwest Georgia.

Anyone who knows the history of Perry Wellness Center, Rudy’s Happy Patch Market, and their founder, Stuart Perry, knows that Buena Vista planted the first seeds of Stuart’s vision for the market today. (For those who don’t know, Stuart’s parents raised plants in their Marion County greenhouse and sold them at his father’s downtown service station.)

The sunny Friday morning was perfect for browsing and chatting, which passers-by did in equal measure. The market on wheels was filled with selections of plants from hanging baskets to young trees. Days of prior planning for the market ensured a smooth experience, down to the color-coded plant identification tags and the display plans that highlighted inventory. The back door of the PWC box truck was parked on the most active corner in the picturesque corner of Buena Vista, as the day of “show and sell” began. Accompanying Stuart were several associates of the market and center, including Susan Carol, Linda Stafford, Nakia Rhone, and Mulkey McMichael.

It was a busy day on the town square, but worth it. On the group's return to Americus, Perry learned that the first Mobile Market of 2023, in Buena Vista, had a record revenue day!


Pictured above are Susan Carol, Linda Stafford, Rocky Wade, and Stuart Perry, off the Buena Vista town square.

In Part II, we’ll share some of the personal thoughts and experience of Stuart Perry during the visit to his hometown for the market.