Business Profile: Old Bet Farm Market, Somers
Bedford resident Jimmy Habal recently received a request from a customer at the Old Bet Farm Market for some radishes.
The radishes could not have been any fresher because Habal took them directly from the soil of one of the greenhouses located behind the Somers store.
Fresh produce is one of the trademarks for the store, which was opened last year by Habal and his wife, Laura. The home page of the grocery store’s Web site states, “We Grow for a Healthy Tomorrow.”
“I wanted to do it organically and locally,” Habal said.
Produce sold at the store is grown 100 percent organically, mostly from a farm and greenhouses located on three acres behind the store and another farm the Habal family owns in New Jersey.
“The soil is very rich soil and we don’t use chemicals,” Habal said.
Some of the other foods available include organic milk and eggs. “We try to have a little of everything,” Habal said during a recent interview at his store.
The store also sells flowers that are available in arrangements. During the summer months the most popular items include tomatoes and corn.
Some of the produce the Habals grown in the greenhouses includes tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and lettuce. Many baked items sold at the store are made by Mrs. Habal. Some of her baked creations include banana bread and Mediterranean specialties.
The store, which is located behind the Somers Town House, was named after the legendary carnival elephant Old Bet, who was a star in the early 1800’s, Habal said.
The store is patronized by many regular customers, Habal said. “Everybody appreciates what you grow for them,” he said, adding that many patrons say the food offered is better than what is available at a supermarket.
Habal said the hard work he and his wife have devoted to their store is worth it. “I love it,” he said. “I love when I pick up my vegetables. It’s the best thing for me.”
The Old Bet Farm Market is located at 261 Route 202 behind the Elephant Hotel/Town House in Somers. For more information, call 914-617-8450 or visit oldbetfarmmarket.com. The store is also on Facebook and Twitter.
