Woodbine Farm Market — Local services in Strasburg

I guess this is petty, since the TLDR experience I'm about to share happened like 6 years ago or something, but seeing all the glowing reviews on here stirred up my resentment again.

I used to shop at Woodbine a lot. I was a little bummed that the tomatoes always seemed a little too under ripe or overripe, but overall the produce quality was solid, the setting wonderful, and I loved that I was supporting a local business. I told a number of people about them, offered to get produce for others when I made a run, got their reusable bags with their logo on it and used them everywhere.

It was several years into going there that I realized they sold several of my favorite (hard to find) heirloom apples in fall. I bought a lot so I'd have plenty for winter, and then went even crazier the next year. The flimsy small produce bags they had were literally bursting.

Less than a week later, I decided I still didn't have enough and wanted to top off my stash, so I went back and noticed they actually had much bigger, sturdier bags for the apples. I thought those would be a lot better to transfer my apples back home into. So I partly filled several of those big bags - I admit, maybe just a third full? Lots of room left. Got some other produce and went to check out.

A nice young woman was at the register and started ringing me up. Another woman I'd seen there often looked at my partly full bags, rolled her eyes and started (obviously really annoyed) transferring them to smaller bags. I nicely stopped her and, with a smile, explained my story to her, how I'd bought a lot from them the week before and I was going to change bags. She said angrily, "You're wasting our bags." Still with a smile, I said i was sorry but explained the story again. A line was building up behind me and I was getting nervous.

She started stuffing the apples back in the bigger bags and said, "Don't let it happen again!" I was embarrassed and I quietly said I wasn't sure I'd be back again. She could see that now I was annoyed too and she literally shouted so loud the whole store could hear in a furious voice, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL ME."

I should've just walked out without buying, but I'm an idiot and was so humiliated and ticked and confused I just finished the purchase and walked out past the now long line of folks waiting and haven't been back. I told someone else who shops there about my experience and described the woman and they said they think she's the owner - I don't know if that's true or not, but that made it worse for me. All the money I spent there, the support I tried to show them, and then to get yelled at in front of a lot of people over... apple bags.

There's my story, I'm probably a jerk for sharing it, but I've wanted to tell it to the world for a long time, so there, now I feel better.

Btw, I found I can get those same heirloom apples at Hollin Farms in Delaplane. It's pick-your-own, but that makes it more fun, and the Davenports (the owners) have always seemed like a really...

I've been eating cookies and pies for over 60 years. As a child, dessert was served at every meal. To say that I have a sweet tooth is an understatement.

A neighbor gave us half a coconut cream pie from this market and, what can I say, it was the best pie that I'd ever eaten! Road Trip!

I was unprepared for the variety of cookies and pies that they have. All of the cookies are made in house. I left $80 poorer. It's not advertised, but don't hesitate to ask for half a pie. They'll cut one in half for you.

Cookies are sold individually with different price points. Order one or two of each! We bought, and shared, a Coconut Cream Pie and a Chocolate Silk Pie. Everyone had the same reaction that we did. These were the best pies they had EVER eaten as well.

Sweet tooth? Sure, they have other offerings. Lots of items in Sealed Jars. We also bought some, copper pot, made over a wood fire Apple Butter. Who does that anymore?

Do yourself a favor. Make the trip for the best sweet treats you'll ever taste. Go on a weekday if you can. It's a lot slower. Weekend crowds are big and lots of family with children using the...

Short drive off the interstate. Nice scenery. I saw areas for kids to play, pets to walk, and adults to relax. Plenty of parking. I wasn't greeted when I entered, despite being the only customer. But they were nice enough to allow me to add more apples to my bag, as they charge by the bag size. These are the best prices I've seen for Pink Lady apples. Nice variety of Virginia products. I love my Virginia peanuts and apple butter. Saw a lot of fruit flies, even had some in the car from my bag of apples. Wanted to purchase some small tomatoes, but they were covered in flies and chose not to try them. I would suggest they find measures to control these, such as apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a bowl. Something natural, that won't harm the produce around it but will control the pests. I actually might consider not returning just because of this problem. I wanted to see the pies they offered, but I left without looking at everything because I was tired...