Since the 1930s, the Green Top Market has been a shopping attraction for Route 70 drivers.

Remember that song "Take This Job and Shove It"? Wayne Costello said he felt that way shortly before becoming the new owner of Green Top Farm Market on Route 70 in Southampton about a decade ago.

"I have been in the (horticulture) industry my whole life," he told 70and73.com. "I finally got to the point in my life 10 years ago where I said, 'I am tired of making other people rich and tired of working for other people.' "

Thus, the self-proclaimed "hort-dork" bought the market from the Moore family, fulfilling a promise he had made to himself.

"I rode by this place four or five years before I bought the place. I looked at it and thought, 'What a cool little place.' I remember telling myself, 'I want to own a place like that. I do not want anything huge…I want a cute little place with plants and a little bit of everything.' "

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One newspaper article in 2014 indicated that the market first opened in the 1930s. Then, in 1962, William Moore bought the market from the original owners. Costello said he was unsure how the market got its name.

Green Top Farm Market is the length of a few apple throws from Red Top Farm Market, also on Route 70. But do not expect hostile competition between the two establishments, Costello said.

"We have very little in common," he added. "Yes, we both sell produce, but I do not think we share any vendors…I try to find stuff that is unique to my market."

Green Top Farm Market seems to sell many home and outdoor décor pieces, such as wood carvings, cement statues and wooden tikis, that Red Top Farm Market does not. Costello said he often donates the unique items to local fundraisers.

Although there are big-box places where some of the merchandise, as well as the produce and flowers that Green Top Farm Market sells, can be found, there is a difference between buying from one of those bigger stores and buying from him, he said.

"Some of these other places do not really know a lot about plants," Costello said. "We are going to tell you about the plants, we can help you with plant science, we can tell you about plant diseases." The market always has someone working who has that level of expertise, Costello said.

The market opens in March and remains open every day until Christmas.

During the months the market is open, he lives at the market, he said. During the months the market is closed, he said he goes to his permanent home in Vineland to catch up with his wife and sons, ages 16 and 18. He also uses those months to look through catalogs for unique merchandise to sell in the upcoming season, he said.

For now, Costello said he wants his sons to concentrate on finishing their education. Afterwards, Costello said he will see if they would be interested in helping him run the business.

IF YOU GO:

Green Top Farm Market is at 1811 State Route 70 in Southampton Township. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from March until Christmas Eve. Its website is green-top-farm-market.business.site/.

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