Hale Groves is getting ready to say goodbye after being a part of Wabasso for over 70 years. This fall, the popular citrus company will close its Wabasso location and open a new spot in Vero Beach.
According to the local newspaper, Sebastian Daily, the company’s insiders were the first to break the news. They revealed that employees helping with the move were promised a $100 bonus. They also shared that the Wabasso warehouse is in bad shape and needs immediate repair.
Since the company’s start in Wabasso, selling fruit and citrus along U.S. Highway 1 has been a big part of the local culture. “As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we are planning to open a new visitor center in Vero Beach. The Wabasso location will close permanently at the end of July,” the company said in a statement.
Thanks to the internet, Hale Groves has been able to sell their citrus products online and through catalogs sent in the mail. With the move, they want to bring all of their operations together in one place. But not everyone is happy about it. Some locals worry that it might not be as easy to buy their products after the move.
Even with these concerns, company leaders say the new visitor center and store will be closer to downtown Vero than the current Wabasso store. “We are grateful for all the community support over the years and are excited about this new chapter,” the company said.
The company hopes that the new location will attract more customers, especially those traveling on I-95 who might want to stop in for some fresh juice. They also want visitors to be able to see all parts of the business, not just some of it.
The new Vero Beach store will sell fresh juice, citrus, gift baskets, jams, jellies, honey, and even ice cream.
Hale Groves will close its Wabasso store at the end of July. The new location at 1650 90th Avenue should be open by the fall. But don’t worry, they plan to be back at the Oceanside Farmer’s Market in September.
“Please come to our tent every Saturday at the Oceanside Farmer’s Market (starting in September),” the company shared on its website. So even though things are changing, they are still excited to serve their local customers.
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