They say when one door closes, another one opens. In 1948, world-famous York Safe and Lock Company closed its doors. For my parents, Earl and Margaret Brown, it opened the doors to a 35-acre fruit and poultry farm in rural Loganville. It was certainly a big change from the city life my parents, two younger brothers and I were used to. But Mom and Dad worked very hard and learned how to grow fruit with the advice of orchard sales reps and Penn State Extension Service agents, and we soon called the orchards home.

I came to cherish the rolling land and the challenges of growing quality fruit, and decided to work with my parents. My brother, Roger, became a dentist. My youngest brother, Richard, chose the banking profession. In 1954, I was blessed to marry my wife Nona, an elementary teacher. After college and serving in the U.S. Army, we both became active in the business. Tracts of land were added and Brown’s Orchards was incorporated in 1972.

While raising fruit, Nona and I also raised three wonderful children. Again, the oldest chose the family business. Our son, Scott, joined my father and me in 1976. After many years of dedication to, and love of the land, sadly Scott lost his battle with an aggressive brain tumor in 2005. Scott is sorely missed here although his hard work will be seen for many years to come with a series of beautiful plantings and many facility improvements he had completed over the past few years. Our daughter Linda, now a registered dietitian with family in Ohio, began selling her baked goods at the roadside stand while she was just a teenager. Her famous cherry pudding, which is still made today, formed the start of our successful bakery. Our youngest son, David, introduced the computer to our business, and after a career in computers which took him to St. Louis and Chicago, David has returned home to help me take the business into the future! We are extremely proud of all three of them.

New Farm Market

In 1984, Nona and I began a holiday gift basket business in our home. Nona’s homemade apple dumplings were made in our kitchen during the winter of 1986. As the demand for her dumplings and Linda’s cherry puddings grew, so did our dream of a new farm market. In 1986, a 2500 square foot market was built on the nearby crest of the hill, just south of the old fruit stand. A few years later, Scott's wife, Brenda, left her banking career to lend her skills to the growing

business. Earl and Margaret lived to see the new market's success. Regrettably, the old roadside stand landmark was lost in an electrical fire in 1986.

Building Again

For 15 years, our dream market grew by leaps and bounds until overcrowding of sales and workspace necessitated an extensive remodeling and expansion project. Our expanded market was completed in 2000 and although it is triple the size of the original store, it still has that same friendly country atmosphere. A deli, candy island, floral department, retail greenhouse and a pavilion with ice cream stand have been added. We

enclosed our front porch which we aptly call “The Brown Bag,” where you may sit and enjoy your sandwich from the deli! And in 2007, we added "The Brown Bean Cafe" Coffee Bar and a front patio where you can relax while you shop, or take a refreshing stop during your business day.

Nona and I are now only part of the team. I continue to serve as general manager. Nona’s creative touch is evident throughout the store. Many quality hard workers take pride in operating our 200-acre fruit and vegetable operation which is the very "core" of the farm market. Our “extended family” of over 150 other full and part-time employees round out the Brown's team. These fine individuals are responsible for the quality products, friendly service and welcoming atmosphere Brown’s has become known for.

The Future

The Brown family takes great pride in producing and marketing our healthful products. We look forward to many more years of growing and serving the community in a well rooted, "quality" style.

Stanley Brown