John Jr.

John Jr. (Sonny) Heeren

As independent truck drivers began to disappear in the 1970s, the Heerens began building a fleet of their own trucks and drivers. They also began expanding their produce line to include plums, peaches, nectarines and other fruits. In 1975 they enclosed the dock areas and added a new storage room. The added room was called the "tomato" room because it had the ability to be heated or cooled and was designed with the purpose of improving tomato quality. 1978 brought yet another addition, two coolers and several new loading doors. This would bring the facility up to its current size of 11,000 square feet.

In the early 1980's L & L Packaged Produce moved to a new location. It was then that Heerens began selling a full line of fruits and vegetables. A decade later, Heerens would move to their current location. By 1995 it was necessary to double the size of the warehouse, this would bring the facility to its current size of 42,000 square feet.

By the time Bob and Sonny Heeren were ready to retire in the late 1990s, the business had grown from two employees to more than 80.