SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Cider season is in full effect in Central New York, and businesses like David Tripp’s Owen Orchards have expanded their businesses during the pandemic.
Tripp said he had to hire six new employees to account for increased demands for apples, cider, donuts, and other products. Tripp said a lack of in-person classes for Central New York students helped increase business for his orchard.
“A lot of the local schools here, the kids are either going three days a week, or Monday Tuesday, or have Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off, a lot of schools have Wednesdays, so our Wednesdays have been super busy,” Tripp said. “Just about every day has been a lot busier.”
Rather than decreasing workdays and employee hours or laying off employees, Tripp’s orchard has experienced a growth in business despite a global pandemic.
The Orchard has expanded its inventory and now holds over 5,000 bushels of apples in the store, according to Owen Orchards. The orchard will continue to allow patrons to pick their own apples, and all of their fields are still open despite nearby outbreaks in New York.
Thursday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered businesses in New York to close in order to contain a recent outbreak in New York City. Tripp said business closures around the state were another reason for his orchard’s expansion.
“Well, we’re apparently the only show in town because you can’t go to a county fair festival, or a music concert, or anything like that,” Tripp said. “This is a place people can come to. People want to get out and do something.”
The orchard will remain in operation until the end of cider season in March. The Orchard will remain open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Orchard is also open on Saturday from 9:00 to 6:00, and on Sunday from 9:00 to 5:00.
