According to the owner, Larry Maples, the Punkin Shack began 45 years ago kind of on accident. It all sarted when Larry and his family had a problem with some pumpkins in their corn field which happened to ripened too early in September.

Thinking the area supermarkets would be interested in their pumpkins, the Maples family tried to sell them, but when no one was interested, they put up a side along the road on Middlebrook Pike and soon sold out. The next year customers returned asking about more pumpkins. This continued every year and business has continued to go strong with sales of over 5,000 pumpkins each year.

“We seem to be recession proof,” said Terry Maples, Junior, Larry’s nephew, who helps with the family business.  

Punkin Shack is located next door to Shannondale Health Care Center in the yard of Aunt Juanita “Peanut” Thomas’ house. Aunt Peanut is proud to tell her customers she will be 86 on Christmas Day. Larry’s mother, June Maples, lives next door to

Aunt Peanut and enjoys selling pumpkins and sharing her ideas and recipes.

Larry says the real name of his family’s business is Punkin Shack Produce and More, because along with selling produce they also provide field trips for local school groups.  

Maples explained, “We sell pumpkins of all sizes and types, as well as straw, cushaws, watermelons, banana squash, fire wood, and other seasonal plants and decorations. Mini-pumpkins sell for $l while most sizes of pumpkins sell for from $4 to $6, but some giant ones might range upwards to $10 to $12. Most pumpkins are sold for carving, but he does have field pumpkins which are used in cooking.”

The produce is no longer grown by his family, but comes from Blount County.

“We spend a lot of time hosting field trips for local school children and stay booked up during the last three weeks in October.,” said Larry.

“All field trips are free, but the children often buy pumpkins and the teachers usually buy things to show their support.”  

As the years have passed, the family has added more decorations such as scarecrows, dancing witches, a graveyard, and lights.

Although sales of pumpkins are highest around Halloween, the family sells firewood and other seasonal decorations through the Thanksgiving season and when the Christmas season arrives, they sell wreathes and live Christmas trees.

The bright orange pumpkins and autumn vegetables are a beautiful sight, but everything seems magical at night when the lights come on.