Zern's Farmer's Market
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail, Agriculture |
| Founded | 1922 |
| Founder | William Zern |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Gilbertsville , United States |
Area served | Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas |
| Products | Toys, collectibles, pets, apparel, electronics, fresh produce, prepared foods, butcher shops, deli, barber shop, bakeries, specialty spices, ice cream, poultry, pretzels |
| Website | www |
Zern's Farmers Market operated year-round in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, situated along Philadelphia Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 73) near Bartman Avenue and close to Pennsylvania Route 100. The site comprised two main structures: a lowercase "t"-shaped primary building and a smaller L-shaped enclosed flea market area. When weather conditions allowed, outdoor vendor spaces known as "the Midway" were also active. The main facility was equipped with heating during the winter months and utilized fan circulation along with heat extraction systems during warmer seasons.
The market featured a wide array of merchandise such as toys, collectibles, pets, apparel, electronics, fresh produce, and prepared foods influenced heavily by Pennsylvania Dutch traditions. It included two butcher shops, a deli, a barber shop, two bakeries, a specialty spice retailer, a Hershey's Ice Cream outlet, and a fresh poultry seller. Auntie Anne's Pretzels was the only chain vendor present. Zern's functioned as an important social gathering point for the community.
Weekly live auctions were held inside the main building, accompanied by a "silent auction" taking place in the flea market structure. Special events hosted at the market encompassed car exhibitions and local wrestling matches. The market generally operated on Fridays and Saturdays, with holiday hours varying.
History
Established in 1922 by William Zern (1883–1978), Zern's—also referred to as "The Sale"—originated as a modest family farm auction. It rapidly grew as neighbors and local residents joined in, becoming a notable landmark within Gilbertsville. Early auction events included livestock sales held in the large lower barn. After a fire destroyed the market in 1966, rebuilding efforts commenced just days later.
At one point, Philadelphia magazine honored Zern's with the title "Best Of Philly."
The economic recession of 2007 contributed to rising vacancies among Zern's vendor spaces, further impacted by the emergence of two new shopping centers featuring grocery stores and restaurants within two miles along Route 100.
In June 2018, it was announced that after 96 years of operation, Zern's Farmers Market would permanently close. The final day of business was September 30, 2018.
External links
- Buildings and structures in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Farmers' markets in the United States
- Tourist attractions in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Economy of Pennsylvania
- Agriculture companies established in the 1920s
- Companies established in 1922
- Agriculture companies disestablished in 2018
- Retail companies disestablished in 2018
- Retail companies established in 1922