The Berlin Farmer's Market has been operation since the early 1940s and vendors say it has been sold to the Columbus Farmer's Market, in Burlington County. Watch video
BERLIN -- It's hard to succinctly describe the Berlin Farmer's Market. A trip to the historic outdoor flea market and indoor shops that offers everything from fresh pretzels to rabbits and leather jackets is almost always an interesting experience -- to say the least.
Rumors of the market's sale or demolition have been swirling for decades, indoor business owners said. This time, however, vendors are saying it's a done deal and they're unsure what the future holds for them.
"Columbus is taking over on Nov. 1," said one outdoor vendor who has been selling at the flea market for the past 40 years.
Berlin Farmer's Market management declined to offer comment for this story. A message left with management at the Columbus Farmer's Market, located in Burlington County just north of Westampton Township and Fort Dix, was not returned.
The Berlin business boasts more than 700 outside lots for rent on the weekends and by the looks of things, a good majority were filled last Saturday. From your standard yard sale fare of kid clothes and household accessories to military surplus and Star Wars figurines from the early 2000s, there were easily 1,000 guests strolling around Saturday morning who had plenty to choose from.
Inside the long and narrow building that began in the 1940s as livestock and produce auction, hundreds more wandered into record shops, video game stores, candy depots and eateries.
At Vitalie's Clam Bar, a Clayton resident chowed down on two dozen steamed clams
"For $20, you can't beat it," he said.
The story of the Columbus operation isn't all that different from its Berlin brethren. According to the business' website, Columbus began in 1919 as a cattle and horse auction. A 2014 fire devastated the site, which has only recently seen businesses there reopen.
According to the Berlin market's website, their indoor facility spans approximately 150,000 square feet and has more than 85 stores selling jewelry, automotive supplies, shoes, wallpaper, books, magazine and so much more.
MORE: Columbus market saved from total destruction
A voyage through the Berlin Farmer's Market could take two hours and you'd still miss an unknown gem hiding at the bottom of a box outside or tucked away on a shelf of knickknacks.
That's the market's charm, and that's what vendors and visitors are afraid of losing if Columbus makes drastic changes.
Gordon Gilbert, of Clayton, has no idea how long he's been coming to the Berlin Farmer's Market because it's been so long.
"Oh, God... I've been coming here forever," Gilbert said, noting that he just keeps visiting because his wife helps another vendor here and he'd also heard the rumors about Columbus coming in.
Speculation continued a little farther up the dirt row lined with tables piled high with goods to haggle over.
"All I know is Columbus bought it and they are supposed to change hands by the end of the year," said another longtime vendor from Blackwood who did not wish to give his name. "What going to change? Who knows."
The man who has been selling regularly here since 2008 said he pays $130 per month for his regular spot. If prices at Columbus are carried over to Berlin, his rent could be going up.
"I just enjoy it," the retired Camden County resident said of why he keeps coming back.
Inside Howard and Nan's Record Shop, which can trace its roots back to 1952, the man who is always behind the counter said he kept the original name when he took over.
He's heard it all before -- the market was going to be torn down and made into apartments or the grounds would be used to grow medical marijuana. This time was different, though. Employees could be overheard talking about it and the answer he got after confronting management didn't do much to allay his suspicions.
"I feel that if new blood gets in her, maybe we'll see some real management again," the businessman who declined to provide his name said, adding that no higher-ups have come by to brief him on any possibility of a sale.
With "Love Me Tender" by Elvis playing over the store's speakers and at least one poster of Frank Sinatra on every wall, the man headed off to help another customer who was just starting to learn how to play guitar.
That's the market's charm and that's what vendors and visitors are afraid of losing. This isn't a mall, it's a no-frills shopping experience where you never know what -- or who -- you're going to find.
As for Carl, the vendor of 40 years who heard from a good source the deal is done, well he'll always be at Berlin Farmer's Market. That's because he wants his ashes scatter among the asphalt lot that's offered a weekend escape to generations of South Jersey residents.
"My daughter knows," he said of those final wishes. "I love it here."
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.