Schaapples Market changes hands
It’s almost like Mark Ironside has stepped into the life of Theo Schaap. He has moved into his home and taken over his business. The humour is not lost on him.
Luckily, this is the life of a man he admires – a hard worker who has built a business and a community of growers – and his godfather no less.
When Theo Schaap and Niki Tucker-Schaap began exploring a route to retirement they didn’t know who would take over Schaapples Market, which has been at Cashtown Corners in one form or another from for almost five decades.
“We worked very hard for 45 years to establish what we had but it was the local people that really kept us going,” said Theo, adding that those travelling Airport Road regularly also became loyal customers.
Theo was 23 years old when he moved from Stouffville, having purchased a dairy farm and orchard in Glen Huron. He knew the dairy business but had no knowledge about growing apples. The seller convinced him to keep the orchard and he would teach him how to care for it.
The following year, in 1978, Theo began selling his apples on weekends out of the back of a pick-up truck outside the corner store at Cashtown Corners. He had his three children in tow – Adam, Brydon and Corinne.
“They grew up at the corner, plus on the farm, and they knew what it was like to do hard work, and so they were a big part of it at the start, with the family,” said Theo.
Niki came along in 1995 and expanded the businesses, bringing in other area produce and preserves. She made almost 1,500 jars per season using only local fruits and vegetables.
Eventually the market was displaced by the reconstruction of the gas station at Cashtown Corners but the Schaaps found a home on the edge of the Isaac property a little farther north.
In addition to working at the stand, Niki worked as a PSW, while Theo ran the dairy farm and had the apple business, in partnership with Bob Giffen.
“We just really enjoyed doing it but, as everybody gets older, we just felt it was time for us to enjoy the rest of our life,” said Theo.
“Because it consumes you the whole five months you’re there, because we did it ourselves,” said Niki, adding that they had minimal staff.
As their 70s were approaching they decided they wanted to travel but Niki admits the thought of closing up and walking away brought her to tears more than once.
Theo said his children have established lives and careers elsewhere and it wasn’t realistic for them to take it on, but they found a successor in their godson Mark, who had been forging a path toward farming for some years, perhaps even before he had access toland. But when the offer to take over the market was initially presented, he had an unexpected reaction. He balked. But then his father pointed out that he was being stupid, he said, and he came to his senses.
The Schaaps taught their godson the ropes and in the fall of 2023 it became his, although Niki stayed on to help until last month.
Mark has made a few changes – he renamed the business The Stand Farm Market, he brought in a point of sale, and a few new products.
About 30 to 40 per cent of the produce for sale is from Ironside Farm and the rest is from farms within about 20 kilometres.
“What Niki and Theo did was create a food system,” said Mark. “They built a community of growers.”
When asked if there is a label he identifies with Mark said he has struggled with his mission statement. He said it comes down to figuring out his values. Currently, he is taking a free- range, chemical-free approach, using as few motorized tools as possible but he is learning the limits of what he can grow and is prepared to adapt.
When he first started farming, Mark admits he held the common misconception that farmers weren’t using good practices but he said he has gained a respect for the entire food system.
He studied engineering and architectural technology at school but has somehow been called to farming, even though he grew up in Collingwood and has few connections to the agricultural community.
The engineering firm he worked for required him to spend time working on high-rise buildings in Toronto. Already feeling overworked, Mark said he realized the ladder he would have to ascend to become a residential architect was not one he wanted to climb.
While between jobs he spent time with a friend at a small scale produce farm in Mansfield and a seed was planted. He loved being around the animals, and the plants.
Then, about eight years ago his parents bought a piece of property in Clearview Township. He says they, “being way too supportive,” have allowed him to have a flock of very free-range chickens, ducks and geese.
It began when he bought himself 30 chickens as a 30th birthday present.
“It went from there,” said Mark. He describes the first two or three years as extremely painful. He was trying to run the construction company and sell his produce at farmers’ markets. At times he was driven to despair by what he calls “the fields of justice.” No mercy.
“Every time you take your eye off the land something bad happens,” said Mark.
So, why do it? “I just love it,” is his answer.
Mark says, the hoop house where he grows vegetables, is his favourite place.
Throughout six growing seasons Mark has learned a lot about seeds, disease, pests and he says he will never stop learning.
As for the Schaaps, they have purchased a 40-foot trailer and are travelling through the U.S., visiting family and Niki has passed her recipes on to Mark’s mother Marlene Ironside, who worked at the stand for 15 years. Between Mark and his mother, they plan on keeping The Stand well stocked with preserves.
The Stand Farm Market, located at 2761 County Road 42, will be open until next weekend and will open again the last weekend in June.
