A while back, somebody told me the best farm stands are the ones that start by accident. That definitely feels true for Three Danes.
If you're ever driving out toward Arcade, you'll spot their setup: a converted grain bin sitting right off the road. It didn’t start as a retail plan-it started as a wedding bar. Today it’s one of the best examples of what happens when good baking meets a little driveway grit.
We caught up with Alexandra Popple-Neamon, the owner and baker behind Three Danes Farmstand, for our first spotlight. Here’s what she had to say.
What’s the story behind your stand, and what inspired you to start it?
Growing up, my parents owned Pufferbelly Restaurant and Bakery in Boston, and I’ve always dreamed of opening a bakery of my own someday.
In 2022, we purchased a grain bin to use as a bar at our wedding. Everyone loved it and was constantly asking what we were going to do with it after the wedding. It sat for two years, until one morning I woke up and told my husband, Nick, “Bad news… I just came up with another project.”
That project became Three Danes Farmstand. We built the farmstand that year, and it has continued to grow ever since. What started as an idea and probably a little bit of a crazy one has grown into something I never could have imagined. It has brought so much community, creativity, and joy into our lives.
What’s the one item on your table that brings people back week after week-or sells out the fastest?
Our baked goods are our number one seller! Our original chocolate chip cookies and apple crisp bars are customer favorites. Car diffusers, Blind Date with a Book, and our tallow skincare are also very popular!
How do you handle the logistics? (e.g., cash box/honor system, Venmo/card readers, cool storage, solar lighting, or physical stand design).
We currently accept Venmo and cash and operate on an honor system, with cameras inside and outside of the stand to help protect the business and our customers. Once our farmstand expansion is complete, we’ll be adding a self-checkout system with a barcode scanner that will accept debit and credit cards. It will be simple and easy to use, while also allowing us to better track inventory.
Our original grain bin will still be open when the new expansion is complete. We needed a climate-controlled space to accommodate freezers and coolers and allow us to offer a much larger variety of products. The grain bin will continue to be used for seasonal items and products that don’t require climate control. We’re excited to have both spaces working together, it will allow us to expand what we offer while keeping the original grain bin, which is such a special part of the farmstand’s story.
What’s your favorite thing about your local community, or a nearby local spot people should check out when they visit your stand?
There’s so much to do in Arcade! Take a ride on the Arcade & Attica Railroad, explore the antique shops and small businesses on Main Street, or grab a coffee at 49 Coffee House & Eatery. For lunch or dinner, check out Indian Bistro or Marco’s Pizza. There’s something for everyone!
What’s one tip or lesson learned you’d pass along to someone thinking about setting up their own roadside stand?
Do as much research as you can before you get started. Talk to other stand owners, local businesses, and people who have already been through the process. If you plan to offer baked goods, take the time to research the requirements for becoming a NYS Home Processor and which baked goods are approved.
But just as important, build your support system. Friends, family, and complete strangers become some of your biggest supporters. This truly is a community, and one of the most rewarding things I’ve learned is that your people will always find you.
Takeaway of the week:
That point about NYS Home Processor rules is huge. If you’re just putting squash or sweet corn out by the road, you can pretty much get right to it. Once you cross into selling baked goods or canned items, NY Ag & Markets wants you registered. Take an afternoon to check their approved non-potentially hazardous food list before you fire up the oven.
Catch you on the back roads,
- Derrick
Know a stand we should spotlight next?
Whether it’s your own driveway table, a neighbor’s honey box, or a hidden cooler down an unpaved road, we’d love to feature it. You can add a stand directly to Roadside Market or email us at hello@roadside.market with a spot you think belongs on the map.