Hadley Fruit Orchards, a California landmark that’s charmed travelers and aficionados of date shakes, dried fruit and nuts for six decades, will soon sell its wares in a new flagship store along Interstate 10
Hadley Fruit Orchards, a California landmark that has charmed travelers and aficionados of date shakes, dried fruit and nuts for six decades, will soon sell its wares in a new flagship store along I-10.googleoff: all
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians on Tuesday broke ground on a larger venture with new products, a fresh online presence and a promise to preserve the charm and nostalgia of Paul Hadley’s original roadside stand.googleoff: all
Scheduled to open in January, the new Hadley Fruit Orchards store is being built just north of Ruby’s Diner in Cabazon. It’s yards from the Hadley Fruit Orchards building on Seminole Drive.googleoff: all
The business was founded by Paul Hadley Sr., a former Grand Canyon souvenir barker. He was known for the straw cowboy hat and bolo tie he wore, the trail mix he sold to hikers in the San Jacinto Mountains, the quality of dates he grew on a 210-acre orchard, and the colorful hand-painted signs he posted along the byways to attract a honeybee following.googleoff: all
Hadley’s plywood signs pitched 5 pounds of dates for $1 and all-you-can-drink fresh lemonade for a quarter, according to a company history published on the store’s website.googleoff: all
The tribe bought Hadley’s retail and mail-order business in July 1999, years after Hadley sold the multimillion-dollar packing plant, mail-order business and retail operations to retire.googleoff: all
Morongo Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman Robert Martin said Hadley Fruit Orchards remains a must-stop desert oasis for travelers, and its mission is intact. The Morongo believes in Hadley’s commitment to provide healthful, high-quality food.googleoff: all
“We are excited and proud to continue, and build upon that tradition,” Martin said in a news release.googleoff: all
The new 12,500-square-foot store will continue sell Hadley dried fruits, nuts, wine, honey, trail mix, vitamins and gift items. Fresh fruit, home-baked bread and pizzas will be added to the open-concept store.googleoff: all
Hadley’s branded date shakes, sandwiches and celebrity photo wall will be retained. Free samples will not fall by the wayside. The new store will also feature an outdoor patio.googleoff: all
The tribe also plans to update the online store, hadleyfruitorchards.com.googleoff: all
The current store will remain open while the new Hadley Fruit Orchards is being built.