Legend Hills Orchard and Farm marketed reopened following weeks of renovations after a 2025 fire destroyed facilities at the family-owned orchard.
The orchard welcomed residents June 16 for the first time since the fire, which happened Sept. 28 and devastated its facilities, such as its market and cider press. The Hoar family spent the next several months rebuilding the orchard’s structures and targeted June for the reopening.
Debbie Seibel owns and operates the market with her brother Doug Hoar, sister Susan Hatch and other family members. The Hoar family founded it in the 1900s.
There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire was undetermined, Seibel said.
“We’re very happy and happy to see our customers again,” Hatch told The Advocate. “We just appreciate the outpouring of support and visits, and we’re thankful to be able to be open before our fruit starts to ripen.”
Crews spent the past several weeks completing a new facility, 11335 Reynolds Road, near Utica, after starting construction in March. The facility houses the orchard’s market, production area and cold storage.
The fire forced the orchard to close early, and during apple picking season, the market’s busiest time of year. Visitors had been stopping by the market in recent weeks to ask when it would reopen, Seibel said.
“We’re excited. It’s beautiful,” Utica resident Amber Rose said of the new building. “I used to live in Galena and have been coming here for years. When I heard of the fire, it was sad. Now, this is beautiful. I’m so happy for [the Hoar family]. It’s amazing.”
This summer, the family plans to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of their grandfather planting an apple tree at the farm. They also will host a special reopening celebration this season when the apples are ready.
The family received considerable support after the fire and friends started GoFundMe pages to help raise money for them.
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Legend Hills Orchard near Utica reopens following 2025 fire
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
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By Josué Perez, Newark Advocate | USA TODAY Network
