From the time that visitors pass by the large metal pumpkins at the southern entrance to Rudy’s Happy Patch Market, they are bombarded with the sights and scents of autumn. Ripe pumpkins, showy mums, and other plants and produce mix their bright colors with the delicious scents of fall.

“I would like to think that the many customers, old and news, who visit the market are covered with reminders of the decorations and foods only available at this time of year,” says Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO Stuart Perry, as he surveys the aisles. “The fall market is good to us, and we want to promote the season year-long. I hope readers will come down for a smile.”

At the center of a pumpkin display is an arrangement of freshly canned and pickled fall vegetables, including beets and okra. Is it our imagination, or were these pumpkins an irresistible lure to draw customers to these specialty food items? Hint: we hear that are additional products about to take their place in this display cornucopia.