Willey Farms, a Townsend community staple since 1975, is moving forward following a devastating fire on Nov. 5, 2018. The family-owned one-stop-shop is reopening its garden center and greenhouse facilities on April 12.
“We have been working so hard toward our opening date, and you can imagine all of the things we’ve had to deal with,” says Donna Cavender, marketing coordinator at Willey Farms in a video on Willey’s YouTube page. “We feel comfortable enough now that we can give you an open date.”
Cavender says they chose to open Friday because of the proximity to Easter and Mother’s Day. “We’ve been dealing with weather and delays and deliveries and non-deliveries, but we’re making it happen,” she says.
The greenhouse and garden center will reopen on Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Regular hours at the market will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Willey Farms will sell plants and flowers, and they plan to sell produce again soon. Cavender says they hope a space to sell produce and natural foods will be open this weekend just up the road from Willey Farms at 4060 DuPont Parkway, Townsend.
For the reopening celebration, SwampTown Food Truck will provide barbecue and other specials for lunch on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Members of the community have met the news of Willey’s reopening with enthusiasm and anticipation on Facebook.
“So glad to see you are making a comeback,” writes Jennifer Coffin.
“Congratulations Willey Farms! My heart is so happy for you!” writes Chelsea Shepard.
“That’s amazing! Very excited to have y’all back in business,” writes Amy Poyas.
Locals and officals have rallied in support of Willey Farms’ rebuild since news of the fire first broke. “I’m just glad they’re rebuilding,” said Roxane Ferguson, executive director of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce, in November. “The community wouldn’t be the same without them.”
More information:
Willey Farms
4092 DuPont Parkway, Townsend • 378-8441