For Tim Field, becoming the sole lessee of the Styer Orchard and Market hasn’t been an easy road. But he’s ready for the challenge.
During the recent Middletown Township board of supervisors meeting, he outlined his plans to not only maintain the historic integrity of both properties, but also introduce fresh concepts.
A main goal is to unite the orchard and market, which ran as separate operations for the last 20 years. While Field’s parents owned the orchard (he bought it from them two years ago), the market was the pride and joy of Dave and Sharon Barberides.
When both leases recently ran out, the supervisors decided to offer only one lease. This would allow produce from the orchard to be sold at the store – something that hadn’t happened for 20 years, but was founder Pop Styer’s wish. Both parties submitted proposals, and the supervisors unanimously agreed (much to the dissatisfaction of the Barberides’ and their longtime customers) that Field should be the sole proprietor.
“We’re looking to continue pick-your-own operations, but also offer all the produce from the farm at the store. People are very used to coming down and picking their eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes. Everything that we’ve done in the past will still be available, but now if you’re not feeling the heat, it’s going to be available pre-picked, which is something that has not happened at the farm in 20 years,” said Field. “We’re also going to showcase a lot of seasonal goods at the orchard. So, if peaches are in season, there will be peach slushies and peach cobbler.”
There will still be no entry fee for pick-your-own operations or the hayride. Field added that school tours, which typically welcome up to 6,000 students annually, will also remain. He is currently working with the Heritage Conservancy to construct a new open-air pavilion, which will feature seating and restroom facilities.
“We’re really looking forward to this. It’s going to add a great feature to the farm, especially for the school tours,” he said.
Regarding his newly-acquired farm store, Field assured locals that most aspects of the spot won’t be going away anytime soon.
“We have no plans to change some of the current things that work up there, the deli, the bakery and the grocery operations,” he said. “If you’re looking for a pie, there’s gonna be pie. If you’re looking for deli, there’s gonna be meat, hoagies, stuff like that.”
New offerings at the store will include ice cream crafted from orchard items like blackberries and peaches. Additionally, Field plans to transform a portion of the gift shop into a museum of Styer history. The first pieces to be featured will be a cider press and 60-foot-long, old-fashioned washing machine. Demonstrations will take place.
“We can show everybody the past, but also the better, more efficient way to do it in the future here,” he said.
Cosmetic improvements to the store will include painting, re-landscaping and the installation of new floors and ceilings.
Greenhouses will be constructed, allowing Field to sell vegetables and flowers. Also, food trucks will now be permitted to operate at the market. Previously, only hot dogs, funnel cake and beverages could be sold. Field added that he’s looking to offer more festivals and seasonal treats, such as hot cider while picking apples and pumpkins in October.
“I do think the vision is a really good vision. I like how you’re ready to move forward with this and we’re going to move that whole property forward as one,” supervisors chairperson Tom Tosti told the husband and father of two. “I hope that from now on, we can all move forward and just start enjoying the farm and store as one.”
Earlier in the year, when the supervisors named Field as the sole lessee, there was much pushback from the Barberides’ and community members. The Barberides’ were heartbroken over losing their business of 20 years, and their loyal customers fiercely advocated for the couple. However, their efforts were for naught when the supervisors adamantly stood by their decision. The Barberides’ recently shared photos on Facebook of their now-empty store.
“We know that in time everyone will move on from this. We know that our time here will be a memory,” they said. “Maybe someday we’ll move on, too, but today we are grieving while we say goodbye to this place, this place that has felt like an old dear friend.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
