Downs Produce

Charles and Brenda Downs opened their roadside stand located at 17443 Lincoln Road, Fayette, along Highway 150 on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Down's Produce offers a variety of local produce, homemade jams and Iowa wine. They welcome customers seven days a week during the growing season (May - October).

What you might not know by looking at it, is that this roadside stand has a special history - one that owner Charles Downs is proud to share. The stand and nearby home were originally built by a man named Atrus Stepp. Atrus, or "Attie" as friends called him, is a local legend. For nearly seventy years the roadside stand was known as the Stepp's Melon Stand, easily identified by iconic tanks painted to look like watermelons and cantaloupes.

Charles and Brenda honor the history of Atrus and Lottie Stepp and continue the tradition of quality local fare and friendly, hardworking service. You can learn more about the historic Stepp's Melon Stand and see the original watermelon and cantaloupe painted signs at the Fayette County Tourism office in Fayette and at the Seed Savers Exchange north of Decorah.