The wildly popular farmer’s market, a long-time staple of Burtonsville, opened in its new location in Laurel Sept. 10, seeming to pick up business right where it left off when it closed this summer.
Shortly after doors opened at 9 a.m., the parking lot outside the Galaxy-Furniture-turned-Amish-market was packed to near capacity and people bustled about as if it were a weekend afternoon, rather than a weekday morning.
Sam Beiler, general manager of the Amish- and Mennonite-run market, said business was booming early that morning, but more important, he was just happy to be back in business.
“We’re excited. It took a lot of hard work, working as a team, to open back up,” he said. “It feels good after not seeing anyone for a few weeks.”
Beiler said he had heard positive news about the new facility, located off Route 198 just east of Route 197, and  described the new space as “bigger, cleaner.”
Although only open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the market had been a fixture in Burtonsville for two decades, drawing thousands of loyal customers with its fresh produce, baked goods, meats and home-cooked meals.
Despite that popularity, in 2007 the Bethesda developers that own the Burtonsville Shopping Center, where the Dutch Country Farmer’s Market used to sit, began contemplating a redevelopment.
The developers were seeking a grocery store to anchor the center, and worried that no such store would want to compete with the farmer’s market.
After rumors that the market could move to Upper Marlboro, or even close altogether, Beiler began talking later that year with the property owners of the old Galaxy Furniture.
Then, in March 2008, Beiler confirmed to a Laurel Leader reporter that the market would be moving to that location after signing a 25-year lease.
New space, new hours
The new location is actually larger than its Burtonsville facility, allowing for the market to keep its popular restaurant, while widening the aisles and expanding the areas for the produce, poultry and baked goods sections.
In addition to a new facility, the market also carries new hours. The market will now be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Beiler said he thinks the new, larger location has “made a little bit of a difference” in business.
Some of the customers agreed.
Avis Morris and her husband, Don, said they were ecstatic to see the market re-open, especially now that it’s much closer to their Maryland City home.
“We’re so happy to see them open again,” Avis Morris said. “And it’s very nice to have them right here next to Maryland City.”
Don Morris said while the market was closed, the couple had actually driven to a Dutch farmer’s market in West Virginia in hopes of finding the same “quality, fresh food.”
Lenny Dinerman, a Laurel resident, was also happy to see the market re-opened.
“Breakfast here is as good as ever,” he said. “And now I don’t have to schlep all the way over to Burtonsville.”
Rosalind Dicks, who would travel from her Laurel home to a Dutch market in Annapolis, said she did worry the new location’s smaller parking lot might get quickly overloaded, but otherwise was pleased with the new facility.
The Morrises agreed.
“It’s going to be rough the first day,” Avis Morris said. “A lot of people have been waiting for this place to open, so it’ll be packed. But it’s worth it to have the market back.
An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Dutch Country Market, 9701 Fort Meade Road (Route 198), will be held Thursday, Sept. 17 at 8:45 a.m.

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