After 101 years in business, beloved farm stand in New Jersey closing down for good
MONTVALE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A beloved farm stand in Bergen County that has been serving its community for more than a century will close for good later this week.
The owners of DePiero's Farm Stand and Greenhouses in Montvale spoke with Eyewitness News on Wednesday about the bittersweet decision.
When many think of fresh from the farm in North Jersey, they recall their ventures to DePiero's Farm.
It's a place filled with varieties of fresh fruit, peaches, plums, berries and an assortment of vegetables. It was a destination for customers for decades.
"These are just landmarks that as we grew up we kept coming back to, so these are the things we're going to miss in the future," customer Tommy Hayes.
Now the final 11 acres of a once-sprawling farm is saying so long after 101 years in operation.
Tammy DePiero-Palmieri's grandfather started the business in 1924 and it has been passed down through the generations.
"It's sad, it's another farm going down, it's so nice to have family run places and we'll miss them," customer Donna Lucia.
It took dedication and loving care to nurture the crops that fed so many families.
But the cost of keeping the farm has gotten way too expensive. The upkeep and maintenance is excessive and it is getting harder to find anyone who wants to work on a farm.
"It's a tough business, it's hard work and long days and seven days a week," DePiero-Palmieri said.
The farm was once over 100 acres. The last parcel was sold last year and time is ticking down to the final sale.
Longtime customers are coming to say goodbye to a tradition they have known their entire lives.
Whatever annual flowers are left after the stand closes Thursday will be donated to local charities and the hope is the greenhouse will become a community garden.
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