50th wedding gift idea

A Complete Experience

Mapleside Farms not only has acres of delicious fruit, but it also hosts a vast array of activities and events.

IN today's competitive world, a farm market must be more than just a fruit stand. It must give its visitors a day to remember or a reason to come back. It must create excitement and, most importantly, be able to successfully market that same experience year after year. Proud to be known as a destination location, Mapleside Farms has what it takes to keep the people rolling in and the cash registers buzzing like bees.

Situated in the city of Brunswick, OH, Mapleside Farms got its start more than 75 years ago. According to third-generation grower and owner Bill Eyssen, true family values are just one of the many reasons for its growth and success. "We get a lot of people who say that their parents brought them here to pick out a pumpkin or buy apples," he says fondly. "Now they are bringing their kids out to have the same experience."

Endless Possibilities

In 1927, Eyssen's grandfather, Elmer, started Mapleside as a small farm complete with cows and chickens. It was in the early '40s, however, that the farm heard its true calling.

Eyssen's father, also named Bill, became involved with the family farm and began developing an apple orchard. As word began to spread, Eyssen says that the picnic table and umbrella were no longer sufficient for sales. "My father then built a small apple market out along the road."

From that point, the expansion of Mapleside Farms seemed endless. In the '60s, a larger market was built for cold storage and the orchard expanded yet again. Eyssen's father also felt that his operation would be nothing without a cheese house. "His reasoning for that was, 'apples without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze,' " he says with a laugh. Soon after the cheese house, a gift shop was added.

Although the cheese house ended up as the bakery, the Eyssen family didn't stop there. They listened to suggestions from customers and, in 1984, took one to heart. "His customers at that time kept telling him to open up a restaurant and banquet facility, so he did," Eyssen says. "It has been very successful because people do look to us for weddings, retirement parties, 50th anniversaries, and baby showers." With the most recent addition to the farm being a butcher shop, it is clear, Eyssen says, that the possibilities are endless.

Keep 'Em Coming

With its roots in agri-tainment, Eyssen says Mapleside's facilities enable it to offer various activities. In fact, its Johnny Appleseed Festival, which kicks off the harvest season in style, brings in 20,000 guests. "This is by far our biggest event," Eyssen says. "It gets people thinking about Mapleside and our apples."

Aside from the kick-off party, Eyssen says Mapleside also offers a car show, an Amish quilt show, a golf tournament, and activities for children. "We do a lot for the kids," he says. "We have a 6000-kid tour in September and October from the city schools, as well as a hayride, corn maze, pick-your-own, and breakfast with Santa and the Easter bunny."

According to Eyssen, there are many ways that farm markets can benefit by offering visitors a full range of activities. "There is a strong need to give alternatives to places such as Chucky Cheese," he says.

Another benefit is pure exposure. "They might come in for one of the bonfires we throw here and see that we are having a festival or they might even notice our wedding tent set up," Eyssen says excitedly. "It really gets them coming back for other events."

In any business, challenges may arise. But, Eyssen says, they only give you a new outlook. "We have tried a lot of things, some that have not worked out so well," he says with a chuckle. "We learn from our mistakes."

Mapleside uses several avenues of communication to promote its events, including a newsletter. "It explains what is going on at the farm and contains a calendar of events and some recipes," he says. The company's mailing list, radio spots, and fall TV commercial have also brought in guests.

For farm markets looking to venture into agri-tainment, Eyssen says it is a good idea to become involved with associations. Groups like the Ohio Fruit Growers Society and the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association have worked well for Mapleside. "I would go to these meetings and also visit other farms," he says. "Go slowly and do a little at a time. You will learn more that way."

By Jasmine Peterson

Staff Writer

E-mail questions or comments about this article to jrpeterson@meistermedia.com.