Archwood Green Barns Farmers’ Market in The Plains is like a playground for those seeking homegrown goods.
The old green barn that once held wining horses now holds local homegrown or homemade treasures. On Sunday afternoons, visitors can roam those stalls in search for the perfect find at this producer-only market which has been serving the area for 15 years.
Becky Brothers of Haymarket is in her 12th year managing the market. “We currently have 31 vendors with three more who are planning to join us. It’s a destination stop with great products in a unique setting; and people love it!”
In addition to vendors inside the barn, vendors are outside, too, with picnic tables on site so people can eat that just-bought food items. Or, if the weather isn’t suitable, visitors can eat in an indoor cafĂ© in the lower barn.
Shoppers will find baked goods, breads, cheeses, fresh meats, eggs, desserts, fruits, vegetables, orchids, wool, soaps and lotions, salsa and chips, Alpaca products, beef, chicken, rabbit, knives, jewelry, canned goods, bird houses, pickles, chocolates, jams and honey. And, this year, there’s something new: highway signs on both sides of Interstate 66 so more people can find the market
Brothers believes folks keep coming back because it’s a great family stop as well as a market. “The diversity of vendors and their products ensures there’s something for everyone. We have families from D.C. come because they can make a day trip of it.”
Some of the vendors include Allen Easterly of Rendezvous Farm in Basye (Shenandoah County) who sells chickens, eggs and Cornish game hens. His wife makes homemade lotions and cleansers. Personally, I couldn’t pass up her Peep’s Perfection Hand Lotion in Mason jars.
Then there was Tony Tringale, owner of Tony T’s Apple Farm & Kitchen in Front Royal who was selling a variety of desserts including gluten-free cupcakes, apple dumplings and orange and walnut cake. In his vendor tent, he had a sign that read, “Remember, stressed spelled backwards is ‘desserts’.”
Laureen Unger of Laureen’s Bakery in Edinburg was selling her fresh cinnamon rolls, scones, bagels, donuts, sweet and savory breads, plus baked goods for diabetic, gluten-free and PKU (Phenylketonuria) diets. “We do just about everything, including decadent wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes,” Unger said. Some regular market customers visit their bakery in the Shenandoah County, which offers indoor and outdoor seating.
Amanda Phillips of Marshall came to the market to buy farm-fresh produce and a container of frozen popsicles made from locally-grown fruit. “They’re much tastier and healthier than regular pops,” Phillips said.
Chrissy Dunivan said she actually lived on Archwood Farm and grew up in The Plains. “People come here from the city to experience the country. The vegetables are just better. You know somebody’s actually worked to grow this.”
Joanna Porter of Fredericksburg stopped by Magic Mike’s Barbeque stand to get a beef brisket sandwich; “And, I’m a vegetarian, so you know it’s good!”
Woodbridge resident, Mike McGuire, owner of Magic Mike’s said this is the only market where he sells his barbeque. “I work in the IT field at Georgetown University, so this is my hobby,” he said.
Brothers explained that the name, “Archwood,” is derived from two family names. “Mr. Archibald and Mr. Woodward owned what they called Archwood Farm. It was a racehorse farm and two horses that won are buried on the property; two headstones mark their final resting spot.” The administrative offices of nearby Wakefield School are housed in the historic Archwood House.
Bill Trenum of Warrenton who was born in 1928 remembers when the property was called Archibald Farm. As a young boy, Trenum remembers big Easter egg hunts back in the day. “My dad was the pastor at Belvoir Assembly of God in Manassas [from 1943-1952] and we didn’t have enough room at the church, so we’d have it at one of the member’s farms - then called the Archibald Farm on Old Tavern Road. It would go from afternoon until early evening,” Trenum said.
Trenum added, “Mr. Archibald had a race horse named Fannie May and she won a race. So with that money, he opened the first Fannie May chocolate shop in Chicago.”
According to the July 25, 1936 issue of The Boston Herald, at the age of 56, Henry Teller Archibald died on July 24, 1936 in Swampscott, Massachusetts. The article describes him as a “prominent race horse owner and known in Chicago and Miami as the ‘candy king.’” The article goes on to say, “Mr. Archibald, a well-known turf enthusiast, bred horses on his estate at Palins, (sic The Plains) Va.”
Who would have known that the land owner who once raised race horses would lead to the candy business? And now visitors near and far can enjoy the labors of local farmers and artisans selling their goods at the market taking in the beauty of country life. Sweet!
Archwood Green Barns Farmers’ Market is located off I-66 west (Exit 31) just one stop west of the Haymarket exit. The green barns are to the right near the exit ramp. Becky Brothers, market manager, can be reached at 540-253-5289 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The market is open through the second Sunday in November and then open the first two Sundays in December for the annual Christmas on the Farm. The hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The market is off of I-66, Exit 31 (one stop west of the Haymarket exit) on VA Route 245 (Old Tavern Road) in The Plains.
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