EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — A popular family-owned orchard in East Longmeadow is now operating under new management. We stopped by ahead of a pretty busy season to see how things are going.
Apple Place in East Longmeadow has been doing well since it was taken over by new owners a few months ago.
They are now heading into one of their busiest times of the year and customers are happy that everything is running as it has for the past 40 years.
“We love coming here all summer long and getting our pies for Thanksgiving,” said one customer. “We’re excited for the season to open and we just really like it here.”
Typically open from late April through Thanksgiving, the family-owned 12-acre orchard includes 1,500 trees and over 50 varieties of apples, peaches and pears used to make the company’s signature ice cream and delicious baked goods.
“It’s going to be so great,” added one customer. “I think it’s such a classic New England fall event and the name Apple Place makes me think it’s going to be a great time here.”
Now that business is ramping up for the busy fall season, both the new and previous owners are doing their part to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“It’s a two-pronged business here. Of course we have the bakery and the ice cream shop, and then we have the farming aspect. So I’m very familiar with how the bakery and ice cream shop work, but out here in the orchard, the corn maze, etc.,” explained co-owner Anthony Maloni. “That’s a different story, but luckily Cindy and Neil, the previous owners, helped with that.”
Former owner Cyndy Normandin, who also grew up on the farm, told Western Mass News that the Malonis have done a good job of continuing the tradition here.
“The same people still come. I think that’s the beauty of it, the Malonis have given the store a kind of New England feel. So we’re anticipating it being busy in the fall and being able to offer our warm apple cider doughnuts and our apple cider – all the things that people are waiting for,” Normandin explained.
Last year there were some climatic problems after a frosty growing season, but this year they are flowering in abundance.
Apple season now runs through the end of October and coincides with the wizard-themed corn maze at Apple Place beginning September 14.
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