I’d like to say, “Meet Don Maxey”, but I feel pretty certain most of you already have. I think he and the Wine Guy, Mark, at Harris Teeter are in a run off for unofficial mayor of SSI. Don and his wife, Hollie, are the owners of Uncle Don’s market on Fredrica Road next to Southern Soul. Don has seen his dream of opening a farmer’s market begin small and expand exponentially over the last several years. Uncle Don’s has quickly become a staple in the community and a provider of local produce to a number of your favorite island restaurants. He is a firm believer in shopping locally and supporting fellow businesses and farms. During one of my regular hang outs at his shop I had the opportunity to pry a little more out of his already open book life.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “When we lived in Atlanta, Hollie and I would take Saturday trips to all the local outdoor markets. We enjoyed taking the dogs, the laid back and casual environment of shorts and flip flops. One day, Hollie had dinner with a friend from St. Simons who mentioned the need for a really good farm to table type farmer’s market. After that, I took about 30-45 days to travel around South Georgia to meet farmers and learn about their products. I just knew that was it. That was what I wanted to do. The hard work, the sweat, the connections I made. That’s what inspired us to open this up.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant on SSI and what do you love there?
A: “Oh my gosh….you’re going to get me in so much trouble. It changes with new menus, new staff, new ideas. But for a go-to choice? It’s a toss up between Half Shell, Georgia Sea Grill or Halyards.”
Q: How long have you lived on SSI?
A: “Six years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you met on St. Simons?
A: “Jake Johnson. He’s a retiree I’ve met at my weekly card game. Also, Blake Merrill of Half Shell and Crab Trap and Zack Gowen of Georgia Sea Grill.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?
A: “Italy. I’ve always wanted to go there because of the history, the beauty and the food and wine.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “Ole Yeller was the first I remember seeing in the theater and Casa Blanca is my favorite.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Pay it forward. Pray for others.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To play Augusta National.”
Q: What is your favorite music or 3 bands you’d like to see, dead or alive?
A: “My favorite music depends on my mood. I like 80’s country, 70’s rock…I’d like to see Elvis, Sinatra, The Who…My favorite song is ‘I Can Only Imagine’.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about St. Simons?
A: “Southern Soul”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative, with whom would you love to have lunch and why? Where on St. Simon would you take them?
A: “Warren Buffet because he seems normal despite his great success-very grounded. I’d take him to Palm Coast.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about St. Simons?
A: “The community and pace of life-the lifestyle.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “No different than where I am now. But I would like to be more involved in helping others-business education, non-profits, etc. Busy with my grandkids.”
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I was not extroverted the first 20 years of my life. I napped in a corner by myself in first grade. I was more of a follower.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Relaxing, Door Is Always Open, Love”
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