The Selma Times-Journal

Owners of Cleckler’s Produce refuse to be defeated.

On Wednesday, Gary Cleckler was at his produce stand on Wednesday literally putting the pieces back together with the help of his son, Jeffrey Cleckler, and deliveryman, Michael Buxton.

“We’re hoping another week and a half we can open back up,” Gary said.

The produce stand, located at the corner of Dallas Avenue and Lauderdale Street, has been closed to the public for two weeks.

The entrance side of the business’ structure was destroyed by the driver of a stolen car on

Nov. 25, when the driver tried to elude police.

“We’re trying to get it back together,” Gary said.

The Clecklers haven’t completely shut up shop these past two weeks.

“We’ve been doing wholesale out of the back,” Gary said.

They have also been doing their deliveries.

Cleckler’s Produce is owned by Inez Cleckler – who is also Gary’s mother. Gary and his mother are business partners. Their liability insurance did not cover a car being driven into the business, so they are faced with having to rebuild the business’ demolished entrance out of their pockets.

According to Gary, the estimated cost to rebuild the entrance is $10,900.

“There’s no way I can afford that,” he said.

“I’m not a carpenter, but I’m going to get it done.”

Gary said many passersby and customers have inquired about a reopening date and he hopes customers will continue to support Cleckler’s once it reopens.