@californiasnapavalley: For more than half a century, the Sonoma Valley Fruit Basket was a familiar sight along Arnold Drive. It was a place where locals picked up fresh produce, travelers stopped on their way to wine country, and generations created lasting memories. For many Sonoma residents, the Fruit Basket was more than a roadside produce stand. It was a marker of arrival, a familiar stop on the drive home, and a tradition passed from one generation to the next. Operated by the Homran family, the stand became one of Sonoma Valley’s most recognizable landmarks, welcoming both locals and visitors for more than five decades. Now, after 54 years in business, the landmark stand has closed. According to reporting by SFGATE and other local news outlets, the closure followed a reported increase in rent after changes in ownership of the property. Published reports indicate the monthly rent allegedly increased dramatically to approximately $11,000, a figure operators reportedly said was unsustainable. The closure has sparked discussion throughout Sonoma Valley, where many residents see it as part of a broader challenge facing longtime local businesses as commercial real estate costs continue to rise. While the Arnold Drive location is now closed, the Sonoma Valley Fruit Basket’s Highway 12 location remains open. 🍏 📍 @sonomafruitbasket in @sonoma_valley next to @californiasnapavalley 🎥 @mikecuffe #somomafruitbasket #sonomavalley #sonoma #napa #roadsidestand

Rafa The Tibetan Mastiff :

Landlord raised the lease to a point they could not afford. Be sure to check out the OTHER Fruit Basket on Hwy 12 just past Siesta Lane!!!

Michael Jacla :

I remember it well we used to go there when I was a kid , I'm 59 now☹️

darkrose :

As a local, this is very sad. I'm finding out this way is even sadder

Ebordier :

I live in Petaluma and always stopped by 😳😞

Ruinousbehavior :

funny enough, they sold the best red licorice... idk maybe it was repackaged red vines, but I loved stopping there as kid and then with my boy. atleast I got to share stopping off there a couple times.

🖤 :

this hurts, a lot. my kids are all grown now, but we used to stop there everytime we went to the river, or ocean. great memories, perfect fruits and vegetables. too bad greed destroyed this beautiful place.

dina :

I was sad to see this 😳

geesengoats :

This must be down at Schellville, where the train tracks cross the road twice? 😭.. I’m just getting too old. Remember when they took out all the Eucalyptus lining the road. And before that… the closing of the Cherry Tree juice stand… 😞

cupcakz707 :

my heart is broken. my parents know the owner. They are good people❤️

Me :

This is heartbreaking

Sara apataza :

Raised my two boys on the fruit and vegetables and more. So sad I loooved this place.

🩷💜JenJen💜🩷 :

Wait! What??

Jess :

I was wondering why it was closed when I drove by the last few times. My heart is broken.

ee-vet (@yvettenotivette) :

Fucking hell. This one hurts

JJ :

Grew up in Farm Road (1/2 mile down Meadowlark Lane) and walked up to this stand many times. Sad to see it shut down.

Flyer4hire :

Oh shit!! Is that the one in Schellville? God damn, that place has been around longer than me (45) it was an iconic stand. But of course, Schellville is the new place to build……. Sad.

RoyalRay7777 :

bailey_bean_ :

That’s awful.

. :

Why?

izabella | CA Photographer :

nooooo :(

Yo.E :

That makes me very sad.

Auntie D :

Why

Brett Rand :

Booooo - this is a landmark that should still be in business for many years to come!!!

Jesse California :

Sad

Rose707town :

What for real