Early Reston charm delivers in local literary scrapbook

by Katy Keffer, Guest Writer

Hall Sheriff Kern's book memorializes Reston Farm Market

What better time of year than November to call attention to historical Reston treasures than with Hall Sheriff Kern’s vibrant retrospective, “Reston Farm Market: An Oasis in the Desert of Common Things.” This book extends a warm invitation to revisit remarkable scenes from an early Reston landmark.

Established and operated by Kern from 1976 until 1997, the Reston Farm Market became a household name and thriving business tucked within several acres of the corner pocket that is Baron Cameron Avenue and Leesburg Pike. Its seasonal bounty of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and beverages drew visitors from within Fairfax County and beyond. Memorable staples such as Fort Pumpkin, Native American powwows, and the annual arrival of the Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas trees cultivated a loyal following. Its closure in 1997 due to land development sparked an outpouring of support for the Reston locale.

Just as a farm market is expected to have a cornucopia of offerings, this book delivers in equal measures. Like a polished scrapbook, many of its pages include nostalgic photos from the 1980s and 1990s of seasonal treats—samples of ripe watermelon, stacking of hay bales for a roadside labyrinth, or the straw people who dotted the market’s landscape. Also scattered within are informational narratives on the meaning of Native American attire or yellow-aged newspaper clippings that celebrate the market in its prime and honor it prior to closure. Colorful illustrations and promotional fliers further capture the unique and eclectic vibe. Even the occasional typo complements its down-to-earth charm.

As with most businesses, the market depended on a community of steady customers, its friendly employees, and Kern’s own dream. Indeed, it is the book’s latter half that evokes these voices with distinct precision. In handwriting both legible and illegible, using cursive or print text, with some notes typed (typewriter-correct formatting included!), a special tribute through final memories, employee recognition, and warmhearted accolades rounds out the best of the Reston Farm Market.

Scattered across these final pages are the individual voices who embraced the vision and are now part of its legacy. A pen drawing of an eye with two tears and the words “I’m gonna miss you;” another message of “boo hoo” with a frowny face; or the colored pencil drawings of each season shared by a young girl—so many of these tributes bolster the camaraderie built over its two decades. But perhaps the note that serves as a most appropriate sendoff is “what a cool place.”

Find a copy of “Reston Farm Market”(August 2025) at The Reston Museum at Lake Anne or in The City of Fairfax Regional Library’s Virginia Room.