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Throwback Thursday: St. Bernard Fruit Market
By Eric D. Tudor
What do a big friendly dog, the best fruit and veggie selection in town, and a corner storefront on Commercial Street all have in common? That would be the vision behind Tasker’s St. Bernard Fruit Market.
The store stood proudly on the corner of Washington and Commercial, right across from what’s now Covell’s and next door to Hogan Land Title. Today, it’s just a quiet little park space along the railroad, but from the 1960s through the 1990s, this was one of downtown’s go-to spots. Known for fresh produce, grocery staples, and a neighborhood vibe, it was a favorite stop for kids and families. Little League teams stopped in after games for a treat, and more than a few kids rode their bikes there clutching handwritten shopping lists from home.
The Taskers didn’t just run a retail shop—they also did wholesale business with schools, restaurants, and the hospital. The market’s name came from their beloved real-life mascot, a St. Bernard dog that liked to greet customers with a wagging tail. Folks might also remember the big watermelon cooler, where they’d “plug” the melon to check if it was ripe enough for your table. That cooler was sold to Mr. Tasker by Clifford Atkinson back in the mid 60s.
Bernard and Lucille Tasker raised their family in the store. Their sons and daughter all worked there at one time or another, but it was their son Larry who made it his career—except for the four years he served in the Marine Corps. When Bernard passed away in 1973, Larry came home to run the store alongside his mom Lucille. After her passing in 1979, Larry’s wife Elaine (Amos) stepped in full time, and together they expanded the store out toward the sidewalk, adding a deli and meat department.
In 1992, Larry and Elaine sold the business to Ronald and Jean Biddinger. Just a few years later, on July 4, tragedy struck. Fireworks set off nearby caused a fire that destroyed the store. Rumor had it that one even made it inside. The building stood vacant for years before being torn down in 2016.
A place like Tasker’s wasn’t just a store. It was a downtown memory.
