Vendor of the Month for December 2006 is
Herman Bond of The Golf Man
Herman Bond is a long time Bradenton resident. He was born in West Alexadria, Ohio and spent his younger years in the nearby town of Dayton. In 1978 Herman moved to Bradenton and to this day still lives in the same house he lived in almost 30 years ago.
Herman is definitley a jack of all trades. He also was a man who kept two jobs most of the time. In Herman's own words----He loved to work. That drive got him into a number of interesting jobs, some right in the neighborhood of the Flea Market.
Early on he had his own business as a trim carpenter. He spent nine years doing this and then due to his back decided to get into something less labor intensive. At that time he took a job at Church's Fried Chicken in management. Church's was a Bradenton business at one time. Then he went to Walmart in the accounting office where he spent 4 years and also worked on the floor in electronics. Herman then wound up at the Kash N Karry liquor store. Oh Yes-------one more job was selling insurance right in the Red Barn neighborhood. He still sees some of his old customers in the Flea Market. Herman can remeber where they lived and what they paid every week as he not only sold insurance, but did the collections also. As anyone can see no grass grew under Herman's feet.
In 1994 Herman first came to the Red Barn Flea Market. He sold baseball cards, sportscards and autographs. Always having a interest in golf Herman soon was working for J-M Golf part time and then full time. J-M Golf was a long time business in the Red Barn. In 2004 Herman became the manager of what we now know as The Golfman.
The top reason for being at the Red Barn for Herman is the traffic. Year in and year out the traffic flows at the Barn. His booths are convenient for the customers and he also lives close, with a driving distance of fifteen minutes. Herman has a customer base to envy. With his friendly attitude, he sees the same golfers year after year. He states that he has a couple that come here every year in the winter and they stop at The Golfman before they even open up their winter home. It is a ritual that they start their winter vacation at The Golfman's booth.
Everything golf related can be purchased at The Golfman, starting with golf club sets, bags, balls, individual clubs. There is a large left handed section and also junior sets as low as $19.99. Hernan has gloves and all types of accessories. Another popular item are the look alike sets to some of the major brands. The most popular is the individual club. The Golfman Shop also ships all over the U.S.
Married for 43 years, Herman has three daughters, He plays golf and fishes in his spare time. I don't think the fish will have to worry about Herman---unless they swim by his booth. Herman is a very busy man
THANKS HERMAN FOR BEING A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE RED BARN FLEA MARKET VENDOR FAMILY.
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