December 12th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
According to a social media statement published over the weekend, three family-owned fruit stores that have been part of communities in Allegany and Garrett counties for more than six decades will soon close. There was no official date for closure of the Fruit Bowl in Cumberland, the Hill Top Fruit Market in Grantsville and the Farmers Market in Oakland, the owners said in a statement posted to Facebook Sunday morning. The statement read: “Supply chain issues, labor issues, climate changes drastically affecting fresh produce, and many other struggles of small business in America today have affected this decision” . The Grantsville store was opened in 1958 by the late Chester and Shirley McFarland. Markets in Oakland and Cumberland followed in 1961 and 1970, respectively.
In 1966, candy, what became one of the markets’ most popular features, was added. That section of the business came to include over 900 varieties, ranging from the contemporary to old-time favorites, the owners said in a 2008 news release celebrating 50 years in business.
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