"We love this place. It is a very special place for our family so we take care of it like our grandfathers took care of it"

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Towering above the rows of crops lining Batavia Road and over the long row of bulldozers on West A Street developing Dixon's Homestead project is a new, huge American flag.

The American dream that started beneath it in 1975 by Eb Sadeghini continues today thanks to his son, Max, who has taken over the oldest fruit stand on Interstate 80. The family-owned and operated business got an updated look, has its own website and posts are regular on social media.

The new flag not only draws traffic from I-80, it is an inspiring sight that Max starts his day with each morning at 5 am before he begins his 13-hour day.

"It gives me peace," said the man who seems to never sleep when asked how he built all the new display stands, added on a large office, installed security measures, and started a new franchise called 'GotNuts.com.'

The family was worried about their 84-year-old father, a co-owner, with the COVID situation so Max stepped out of his own successful career to take the helm and hasn't stopped being innovative since.

"This has been a good business for my Dad," he said adding proudly that one of his sisters is a heart surgeon and the other a dentist.

"But it's not just a store; it's everything to me," he said. "I remember growing up in here." He has always been a high-energy person and feels better when he can stay busy, he said.

A corner of the headquarters is set up with camera and lighting used to build their GotNuts.com business which offers three different displays--one is a variety of 12 different kinds of flavored pistachios, one is chocolates, and the other is dried fruit. Everything one needs to set up at a farmer's market, for example, can provide someone up to $700 income.

"A lot of people are hurting for money so these are already to go including the cardboard displays," he explained. All the items are grown locally and are from local farmers. That part of the business will be launched first of March but bags of 28 different flavored pistachios that they create in their own special kitchen are always for sale inside the fruit stand.

Also inside are flawlessly displayed oranges, lemons, apples, and other produce that looks like a rainbow of bright colors. For the I-80 travelers stopping to grab refreshments, Max coordinates with Good Scoop Ice Cream and sells their organic ice cream as well. One can also buy local honey, a large variety of fruit ‘butters’, almonds, and bottled or can drinks.

"We ship dried fruits and nuts to our customers all over the country," he said adding that he is currently working on building a coffee, waffle, ice cream, and espresso drive-thru. He has met with City officials and Cal-Trans about ensuring the freeway exit provides a safe stop for the businesses there.

"We love this place. It is a very special place for our family so we take care of it like our grandfathers took care of it," said Max.

For more information, call (707) 678-4211, email [email protected], or drop by 7808 Batavia Road near the I-80/West A Street onramp. Or, you can just look for the giant flag.