Customers wait in line for Gisler Farms Sweet Corn in this 2017 photo from the Gisler Farms Facebook page.

The Gisler Family has decided to close the doors on its family-owned corn stand, marking the end of an era for the Porterville community.

In a post on Facebook Tuesday, Gisler Farms Sweet Corn announced the news to close after much discussion and reflection.

The stand, which had operated for 36 consecutive years dating back to 1986, was located on the corner of Olive Avenue and Newcomb Street.

 

Kim Gisler, nicknamed the “Corn Queen of the San Joaquin,” died in January, and the Gisler family said that they could not continue to operate without her.

“This decision marks the end of a memorable era for our family and our community. Gisler corn has been a cherished tradition, as it spanned multiple generations of the Gisler family dating back to 1972,” Gisler Farms said in the post.

Originally operated by Leo and Helen Gisler in 1966, the Gisler’s stand was originally named DAD’s, after the couple’s three children: Denny, Ann and David.

The stand was closed for several years when the couple’s children left for college, but started up again a week after the birth of David and Kim’s son in 1986.

Since then, the stand has operated every summer as the Gislers became well known around the region, selling produce to Valley residents.

“Thank you for making us a part of your summer celebrations and bringing a bit of our family’s passion for corn into your homes,” the Facebook post reads. “Your support and patronage will always be remembered.”