Tom Naples Vegetable Market

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Tom Naples Vegetable Market 1970's
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Woman picking out fruit
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Tom Naples decorating pumpkins
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Tom Naples Vegetable Market 1930's

Tom Naples Fruit and Vegetable Market stood on North Avenue, in Melrose Park, from 1938 until 1985. They sold produce from April through October, but Mr. Naples, also known as the "King Of Pumpkins" is best known for the tradition he started of unloading a couple of hundred tons of pumpkins at the lot each fall. Most were sold & taken home to be carved by children each year. A select few were carefully chosen & decorated in a unique & colorful way. Tom & his staff would use other vegetables & paint to create one-of-a-kind Halloween Pumpkin masterpieces which became a trademark of his. Tom Naples ironically passed away on October 31st 1960.