Fowl's Farm Market replaces iconic stand with a farm market building

AMHERST TWP. — For the first time in more than a century, shoppers stopping by Fowl's Farm Market for some fresh corn or tomatoes to throw on the grill will find something new: an inside. Saturday will mark a new era for the landmark market that's operated along the roadside of state Route 113 for more than a century. That's the day Jeff and Lyn Fowl and their son, Brett Fowl — sixth and seventh generations to farm the land — will celebrate the grand opening of the farm's new market building, a sprawling red market in place of the iconic stand where Fowl produce has been sold for decades. Fowls have farmed the land since 1835. "We've had a roadside stand since 1910," said Jeff Fowl. "We started raising potatoes. It was just called Fowl's Farm back then." Over the years, their "fresh and famous" corn got added and now it is not unusual for families to come from a 50-mile radius to Fowl's Farm Market as more produce from the 600-acre farm was added. Now the market will carry a large assortment of fresh fruits and veggies, including tomatoes, peaches, honey rocks, watermelons and a rainbow of peppers, said Brett Fowl. The store will also carry Troyer's line of baked goods, pies, breads and cookies, along with a wide variety of other market items, he said. Construction on the 5,000-square-foot building started last November and finished up about a week ago, he said. About half the building is devoted to retail store space. This year the market will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through pumpkin season in the fall, with the eventual plan to expand to year-round operation. "I suppose we just wanted the ability to have our normal sales in any kind of weather, hot, cold or rain. We just wanted to have a comfortable place for our customers," said Jeff Fowl. The grand opening will start at 9 a.m. Saturday. A complimentary lunch of hot dogs, chips, punch and cake will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded and WOBL radio will broadcast on site. Fowl's Farm Market is at 43655 Telegraph Road, Amherst Township. And the corn will be plentiful, the Fowls promise. "We start picking Saturday," Jeff Fowl said. Contact Rini Jeffers at rinijeffers@gmail.com.