Zerns is closing, better get there NOW



Alex Lloyd Gross Photo- Delaware Valley News.com The front entrance to Zerns

By Alex Lloyd Gross

Zerns is a farmers market. In it’s heyday, it was a hopping place  to go. Located in Gilbertsville Pa,  it was a short trip by bus for kids attending summer camps nearby. Located on Route 73 near Route 100, it’s still in operation. Still open. But those days are numbered. The property is scheduled to close for business Sept 30, 2018.  The name Zerns conjures up smiles on the faces of those that know what it is, what treasurers can be bought behind the doors.

Alex Lloyd Gross Photo- Delaware Valley News.com. The inside of Zerns

Zerns is only open weekends.  It’s been that way for decades and it may be part of the problem.  People driving by on a Tuesday can’t get in to shop there. If you do go on a weekend, some of the stands inside are operational only on Saturdays.  Friday and Sunday you are out of luck.  This is a part time job for the people that run the stands.  selling  everything from  produce to knick knacks. The stores are not really stores, stands would be a better description.

You can find multiple stands selling confederate Flags and pro- Trump items.  Getting past all of that, you can find antique radios.  More than one store  is selling 8 track tapes, and there is  one shop that heavily favors cassettes.  Of course,there are stores that sell  clothing and cleaning supplies. Things are piled on tables on most of the stands there. It’s up to you to comb through to find what you want. That’s part of  the allure of a flea market, you never know what you will find. If your idea of combing through boxes and seeing older items selling for new is not for you, then do not come.  A place like Zerns is not for everyone.

Alex Lloyd Gross Photo- Delaware Valley News.com, One store inside specializes is cassette tapes. The owner is a character, and is a delight to be around.

People that want to relive their youth or go to see what they did in their childhood years should get there soon. The closer it gets to the final day, the fewer vendors will be there. Some already have signs up that they are moving out. You don’t want to spend time and gas getting there, only to have 10 stands open. Currently, there are still a good number of  stands that are open.

Gone is the coin collector who was known to put Buffalo Nickels  in his change to give to children. However there are a few collector shops that cater to film and TV markets.  The price to buy all 25 acres of Zerns is about $4,000,000.00.  There are vendors there that are hoping that if it closes, it will re open with new owners. Some people have been selling there since the 1970,s.  Other folks just want a quick part time job to get rid of an estate.  There is also an auction,that takes place Friday nights about 6:00 PM. They have everything there from stereo equipment to gardening tools.