OROVILLE – Although it’s currently got the same name, Don’s Fruit Stand south of Oroville on Highway 97 is under new ownership.

Sam and Gwynne Godwin took over the stand in June. The new official name of the store is Farmer’s Favorites and the Sweet Sister’s Deli, although they will not be changing the sign until next summer, Gwynne Godwin said. The products in the store have the new names on them.

“It will be a nice family-run business,” she said. They plan to add more activities for children as well as expand the picnic area for road-weary travelers, she said.

One of the reasons for entering the fruit-stand business was to utilize all of their own fruit crop, according to the new owner.

“We wanted to be able to sell it, process it, can it, dry it and so on,” she said. “We can sell more in different ways.”

They plan to add more locally grown produce to the stand, although the cool spring this year set them back, she said. In addition they will offer sandwiches, canned goods, old fashioned bottled soda and taffy.

They will also put on events, including a car show in August and plan to bring in local musicians to the gazebo beginning next summer.

Sam Godwin grew up in the North Okanogan County and attended WSU. He worked for Boeing and the family moved back in 2001 and bought orchards. Gwynne Godwin is originally from Tacoma.

“I’m not a farm girl, but the country life has grown on me,” she said. “It’s a good place to raise a family.”

The Godwin’s have three children: a 20-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old daughter and a two-and-a-half-year-old son.

This is the first business they have owned. Sam Godwin is a fourth-generation farmer, she said.

The shop is located about five miles south of Oroville at 32706 Highway 97. Their phone number is (509) 476-4300.