Nalls Produce Recognized By County Board For 60th Anniversary

FRANCONIA, VA — Franconia's Nalls Produce marked its 60th anniversary in 2021, and the family-owned business was recognized with a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclamation Tuesday.

The proclamation was requested by Chairman Jeff McKay, who used to represent the Lee District where Nalls Produce is located. Nalls Produce dates back to 1961, when Cary Nalls began selling vegetables from a wagon on a dirt road, according to the business website. As the business grew, Nalls opened a store with the addition of fruits, plants and more produce grown locally. The business also entertains children with animals like chickens and Penny the pig.

Members of the Nalls family were present to accept the proclamation. Cary Nalls told the board that the business started at a table in front of his grandmother's house, but the family's agricultural roots go back several more generations. He said his great-grandfather used to grow near his house on the property. Today, that house still stands, and Nalls still grows near that house.

That family tradition carries on as new generations take on larger roles. His daughter Valerie is involved with the business, and her young kids have expressed interest in working there. Cary Nalls recalls his young grandson saying he would work at Nalls when he grew up, while his younger sister would add a bakery.

"It's been a great life and a really great place to have done this," Cary Nalls told the board. "I didn't realize how lucky I was when I was 9, but I'm glad I'm still there."

McKay noted Nalls Produce has been run by generations of the Nalls family and continues to grow. He noted people come from all over the county to support the business and entertain their children.

"For someone who grew up in the Franconia-Woodlawn area and remembers when Beulah [Street] was a two-lane road...we always thought Nalls was something that existed in every neighborhood and were all over the county," said McKay. "We had no idea the treasure that we had in our part of the county."

Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk agreed the business is a community gathering space, especially given Penny the Pig's popularity in the community.

"I just appreciate that you've been able to keep that asset in our community," said Lusk. "Thinking through, there's been so much development all around you, and you guys the last kind of bastion of the solace there, and I want to commend you for being able to make sure Nalls continues operations."

Nalls Produce is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit nallsproduce.com.