Beasley's Farm — Local services in Chesapeake

I love this place too. For the past 13 years I have come here at least three times a year with my service dog to buy fresh veggies and hanging plants.

Several years ago when they were struggling to stay open, I took part with others to help make them more visible to the community,, sending dozens of friends and even strangers to their market to help them stay open. It appears they are doing better now, but I was shocked and surprised this week when I went to buy some things and was not allowed in the store because the owner told me to show him paperwork before he would let my service dog into the store. (Note: Service animals do NOT require papers for entry anywhere, but other support animals might.)

I tried twice to talk to the owner and showed him the ADA policy on their own website concerning service dogs. It was clear that he was either ignorant of the law or misinformed, but he still refused to admit my service dog for lack of a dr note, even after seeing that she clearly exhibited the proper behavior. I chose to leave, but I want you all to know that it’s against the law to refuse a service dog from entry. Even if it’s on private property, if it’s open to the public, service animals are to be admitted. To deny them is like taking away a wheelchair from a paralytic and asking them to crawl.

A service dog is a medical necessity, but like a wheelchair or crutches, none of them require a dr note to use them. Likely this man has not asked any people for a dr note to come into his market on crutches, so there should be no discrimination. We need these service animals to carry our normal lives. It is not up to the owner to decide whether we need one, or what to require. The ADA already decided that and he just needs to follow it like everyone else.

My service dog goes everywhere, including all my dr visits and on all domestic flights, in stores, office buildings, hospitals, and even church with me. Outside of a surgical center or ICU, only I can decide when it’s appropriate for her to stay home, and have always been considerate of others. The owner never once asked if she was a service dog or what services she provided, even though the ADA allows him to do that. He clearly had no idea what to do with a service dog and decided he could make up his own rules because he owned the property. By law, I could have called law enforcement for entry, but I chose to let the ADA handle the matter. I will not come back to this place, but will travel twice the distance to the Princess Anne Farmers Market and pay a higher price for my fresh veggies where we are welcome. Any store owner who blatantly refuses to obey the law concerning the disabled is not worth supporting.

I don’t regret all the free advertisements I have given these people over the years, and I hope others continue to enjoy their products, but for the sake of all those who have service animal, warn you against coming to this place. This man is so fearful that “anyone can bring a German Shepherd in and claim it’s a service dog” that he has now lost at least three loyal customers...

Was hoping to get some good quality peaches and tomatoes but no such luck. Tasted like standard supermarket bland produce. The peaches turned out being melee or pithy and no flavor not juicy at all a total waste. The tomato also blend flavorless supermarket quality. I think they must be getting their produce from the same place to supermarket gets it cuz they it was not good. It is quite possible that other items are tasty but definitely not the tomatoes or peaches on this...

It's a great lil mom & pop outdoor market. Saw a smiling customer walking out with 2 very full hanging baskets. Prices on the 3 pack veggies were 20 cents less than another place i had visited earlier. And, i noticed an interesting plant (speedwell) i hadn't seen before at a garden center/market. The flowers & herbs looked very healthy & robust. They also have a produce section so theres something for...