Growing Steady
By Jennifer Brozak
Harvest Valley Farms’ Oakmont Market
reopens after rocky start.
A
popular farm stand that’s been a fixture on Coxcomb Hill Road for nearly three decades
has found new life in the hands of Art King and his family, owners of Harvest Valley
Farms in Gibsonia.
The Kings purchased the market, known officially as the Harvest Valley Farms Oakmont
Market, from its original owner in February 2015.
“The previous owner used to purchase produce from our farm, and kept asking us to
buy it,” explains King. “We finally said yes.”
In 2015, the market was open every day of the week between June and October. Despite a
successful 2015 season, unexpected zoning and permit issues nearly prevented the stand from
reopening at all in 2016.
The improvements the family made to the structure, including enclosing the porch,
required it to be rezoned as a commercial property, says King. Once it was deemed a
commercial structure, the parking lot then had to be paved to make it handicapped accessible
and it also had to undergo a formal survey, all to the tune of more than $5,000. The Kings also
had to secure occupancy and signage permits. Adding to the confusion—the market has a
New Kensington zip code, yet is officially located in Plum.
“All of the work cost a great deal and stopped us from opening for about six weeks,”
explains King. “And since we weren’t able to open on time, we lost our employees, who
understandably went to find other jobs.”
As a result, the farm market, which finally opened in mid-July, is only open three days a
week this season—Friday, Saturday and Sunday—from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The market’s limited hours haven’t deterred its loyal fans, however; King estimates that
several hundred customers stopped by to shop during its opening weekend and continue to
pack the stand during the growing season. The Kings kept customers updated on the market’s
progress through its email newsletter and Facebook posts.
“We had so many people telling us they were so happy we had finally opened and they are
so glad we’re still here,” says King. “It’s been very well-received.”
The Oakmont Market carries a wide variety of fresh produce picked daily; jarred products
such as sauces, jams and jellies; dry goods such as tortilla chips and popcorn; and
refrigerated items like cheese, grass-fed beef, hot dogs, dips and
cold drinks. Sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce and green beans are
the market’s best sellers, as are its Chambersburg peaches.
King says he hopes to eventually upgrade the building
to add running water, sewage and heat. Without those
basic amenities, he says, the market is limited in what
can be offered.
The Oakmont Market is located at
“We eventually want to make it like our market
386
Coxcomb
Hill Road in New Kensington
in Gibsonia and add bakery products,” says King.
and
will
remain
open until early October.
The Gibsonia market is open daily and carries more
It
will
reopen
in June 2017.
than 160 varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well
For more information, visit
as numerous baked goods, jarred products and
harvestvalleyfarms.com.
dry goods. n
Plum | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 29