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A fire destroyed the market building at Bauman's Farm Market on Five Mile Line Road early July 22, damaging a key part of a Penfield family business that has served the community for decades.
The Bauman family has farmed in the area for more than a century, with roots dating back to 1908.
Family farm dates back to 1908
According to Bauman's Farm Market, Joseph Bauman, an Irondequoit native, purchased 200 acres spanning Penfield and Webster at a Monroe County auction in 1908.
Joseph and his wife, Emma, operated the property as a dairy farm until 1951, when their son, Jim Bauman, took over.
In 1957, Jim and his wife, Barbara, expanded the operation to include field crops such as tomatoes and beans and opened a small farm market outside their home.
After Jim died in 1974, his son worked alongside his mother until 1983, when he and his wife — also named Barbara — purchased the farm.
Farm became a community destination
Over the decades, Bauman's Farm Market grew into a popular destination with more than 20 greenhouses and seasonal attractions.
In the summer, customers visit for fresh fruits and vegetables and the farm's "you-pick" season. Fall brings freshly pressed apple cider, fried cakes, pumpkins, a hay maze and Halloween activities. During the winter, the farm sells both pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas trees.
Jim's brother, Mark, oversees Christmas tree sales, while Jim and Barbara's five adult children help operate the business throughout the year.
"If farming was easy, everyone would do it," Jim Bauman told the Democrat and Chronicle in 2015.
No injuries reported after overnight fire
Dan Bauman, a farm employee and son of owners Jim and Barbara Bauman, said the fire began sometime between 2 and 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. He said his parents had fallen asleep watching television when they woke to a noise and an orange glow and called 911.
Bauman said the family's home sustained melted siding, and several greenhouses nearest the market building also were damaged.
The Bauman family said firefighters from the Webster, West Webster, Penfield, Brighton and Irondequoit fire departments "worked tirelessly throughout the night" to battle the blaze.
"Our hearts are heavy, but we are incredibly grateful for what matters most: everyone is safe," the family said in a statement.
"We are assessing our next steps and will provide updates here and on our social media pages as they become available."
The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage were not immediately available.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers the grocery business and consumer-focused grocery news, as well as retail development, openings and closings. Send story tips to [email protected]. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Century-old Penfield farm's market building destroyed in fire
