Weber's Cider Mill Farm Opens for the Summer

In the center of Weber's Cider Mill Farm market are three tables covered with bins of peaches and tomatoes. Owner Steve Weber stood among them for the "grand opening" of the market at 9 am Thursday.

The market reopened after being closed since Christmas.

"We had about 12 people lined up when we opened this morning," Weber said. "They were waiting to buy peach cake."

The market is in full swing — there are peach cakes and fresh fruit and produce, including corn, tomatoes, squash, watermelons and, of course, the first local peaches of the summer, the Red Haven.

"It's a good thing they're open," said Tod Gaston, a 58-year-old Parkville resident who was shopping with his wife, Sue.  The pair took home a peck of Red Haven peaches after talking to Weber. 

"We missed them," Sue Gaston added.

Business for the local market has been steady on opening day since the 1970s, according to Weber.

"When we opened the year I took the farm over, we did about the same amount of business we did the year before — I guarantee you this year it will be about the same," he said.

The Weber family has operated the cider mill on Proctor Lane near Waltham Woods Road for about 60 years — the shorter operating season this year stemmed from a decision not to offer cut flowers during the spring.

The website explains that owners Steve and Jo-Ann Weber wanted a longer break to spend time with their grandchildren after operating the farm for more than 30 years.

The market will remain open through Christmas of this year, offering produce during the summer, fresh-pressed apple cider in the fall, and pies during the holiday season.