The news of Walker's Roadside Stand demise has apparently been greatly exaggerated — the Little Compton institution is back in business under the leadership of Ian Walker, founder Coll Walker's son.

Walker's never opened last year, and when he decided to close, Coll said that health issues, labor and other pressures all played a part in his difficult decision to close.

But his son Ian, who has worked with Coll on the farm all his life, said he decided to re-open the farm this year after reflecting on what ended up being a fallow, bleak summer.

After it closed, he said, "the farm was such a ghost town. There was always some kind of chaos going on before, and I thought I might like a nice peaceful summer. But I didn't know what to do with myself, to tell you the truth. Farming is what I do — it's a hard life, it's demanding. The plants don't take a day off. But it's also rewarding."

He said his family is endlessly thankful for the outpouring of support for the farm, and his dad, following its closure. Little Compton residents were exceedingly kind to his family, he said  — "You don't know how much that meant to my father."

Walker said the farm stand will open the third week in June, and where Wilma's used to be, the bakery will be run by the owners of Nitro Bar, a coffee and bakery with several locations across the state. They plan to use Walker's produce and fruit in many of their products. As for Coll?

"He's doing OK," his son said.