Zern's Farmers Market, the iconic business in Gilbertsville, is for sale. The listing price is $7 million, according to Ryan Cortez, a Philadelphia real estate agent.

                Bobbi Gail Lipton, whose family has owned the market since 1949, wants the facility to continue in its current iteration, according to Cortez.

                "Her goal is to sell it to someone who would maintain a farmers market, and take it to the next level," said Cortez, with Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty agency.

                On Tuesday, Cortez declined to comment further on the property, citing a long relationship with Lipton. He forwarded a list of questions to the woman, who lives in Hawaii. However, the responses were not returned before press time.

                Jennifer Hanson, the manager of Smiley's Auction, said the business received a letter last month announcing that the property at 1100 E. Philadelphia Ave. has been placed on the market. Hanson expressed disappointment, but said she is not surprised by the news.

                "This business has been here for a long time," she said. "What are we going to do after it closes?"

                Located inside Door 30, Smiley's holds a bid-board auction every month. The items include everything from jewelry to tools, antiques and collectibles.

                Speculation about a potential sale has been constant, according to Hanson.

                "We've been here for 18 years," she said. "And I've been hearing those rumors for 18 years."

                According to Hanson, the letter advises vendors to continue business as usual in the immediate future.

                The 20.46-acre property has been appraised and assessed at $2.9 million, according to Montgomery County Property Records. The parcel annually generates $85,634 in estimated taxes, including $70,383 to the Boyertown Area School District, the records show.

                Anthony Kuklinski, chairman the township's board of supervisors, described the listing as inevitable. He said the market no longer favors those kinds of shopping facilities.

                "Farmers markets of that type have become passé," Kuklinski said. "Maybe an upscale market could work."

                Redevelopment of the parcel could transform the township, according to the supervisor. He said it could provide the municipality "with a facelift. The redevelopment of a 60-year-old property is a good thing."

                The parcel's general commercial zoning would allow a wide variety of commercial or retail uses, according to township Manager Pete Hiryak.

                "The book is wide open as to what can go in there," Hiryak said Wednesday morning.

                Any proposal from a new owner will be closely scrutinized by the supervisors, according to Kuklinski. He said any redevelopment of the property, due to its location, would fit with the township's overall plans.

                "It's such a central piece of property, and it borders several other key projects," Kuklinski said.

                Founded in 1922, Zern's touts itself as one of the nation's oldest farmers markets. Its vendors offer a variety of merchandise and memorabilia that includes vintage jewelry, baseball cards and Vaseline glass vases.

                Fresh produce, baked goods, homemade relish and jellies, and other foods are also available. Other services include a pet shop, barber, hardware store and flea market.

                The facility hosts a weekly auto auction, professional wrestling once a month and musical entertainment.