Herbary Provides a Memorable Destination off the Beaten Path

When the Bear Creek Herbary opens its doors for its spring season in April, it will be the 10th year owner Ron Springer will serve customers from around the area. 

For now, the main building on Lakewood Farmingdale Road looks more like a welcoming winter wonderland than the seasonal farmers market it becomes during the rest of the year. 

Springer, who started his career in construction and architecture, said he always hoped to open a place like this in the future. "It was always in the back of my mind to be able to find a place and create a place for people to come and be inspired to do some gardening and walk around and enjoy the thing," he said. 

In many ways the herbary would appear to be in an ideal location. Not only is it not far from Route 195, it is also equal distance from not only Howell but also Wall, Farmingdale and Lakewood. Even still Springer admits many people have no idea it is there. "We're trying to create a destination feel where people are willing to get off the couch, throw their kids in the car and get down here and check it out," he said. 

In addition to the plants and other items for the adults, there are also attractions for the children. That includes a chicken coop and a rabbit pen where the kids can get up close and personal with the animals.

The main gift shop itself is an attraction as Springer had it built in the same style as the barns of Amish Country in Lancaster County PA. He said the construction was done in short order in a way that most buildings are no longer put together. "There's not a nail in the entire frame," he said. "The space kind of speaks for itself. A lot of people will come in and look up and say 'wow, this is an amazing building.'"

Having the old style building, he said is part of the education he hopes visitors get during their visit. "It makes people a little bit more aware of what people used to do back in the good old days," he said.

No matter what the reason people come to his establishment, Springer said he just wants them to enjoy themselves. "The beauty of it is just to be able to go out every day and see everything with the colors and seasonal changes and to see the families come out here with their young kids just enjoying the place," he said. 

Taking its name from the neighboring Bear Creek Swamp, the herbary is on 15 acres of land, of which Springer said a third is open to the public. If he has his way, that number will expand in the future. "At one point in time if I'm here on the planet long enough I'd like to be able to have some nature trails in the back," he said. "All that takes is time, money and energy and it's not quite there yet."

One of the main items people buy at the herbary is the honey that is harvested right on the property. Springer said the first year they made their honey they not only got 100 pounds of the sweet treat, but also won second place in a statewide competition.

In the past two years it has also become a family business as his daughter Corinna has started to work alongside him. If she wants, her father said she could be the future of the company. 

In just a few weeks the herbary will be closed for the season, but before then they will have their second annual Ladies Night this Thursday and Friday. Springer said from 6 to 9 p.m. guests will be able to enjoy some holiday spirit while doing some shopping and taking in the sights of the herbary.

On a regular basis the herbary is open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday it is open from 10 to 5, closing an hour earlier on Sunday.

For more information call 732-938-BEAR or check out their website. You can also learn more about the herbary on their Facebook page.