Nearly two months after Krop’s Crops was devastated by a fire, its owners are hopeful they’ll be able to recover, thanks to an outpouring of support from the community.
The Sept. 9-10 fire consumed a one-story barn and the main marketplace building at the family-owned produce farm in Great Falls (11110 Georgetown Pike). No injuries were reported, but everything in storage, including its antique collectibles and Christmas sleigh, was lost, co-owner Andy Krop says.
Though operations have been limited at the 22-acre farm since the incident, Krop’s has still been able to sell pumpkins, kettle corn and more, albeit on a smaller scale.
With Halloween now passed, the farm will soon gear up for the winter holidays, when it typically sells Christmas trees, wreaths and ornaments.
Andy Krop is hopeful that the fire won’t have too much of an impact on the farm’s business, since the Christmas tree sales can still take place as usual, and they can still host outdoor events, like camp fires. However, some marketplace items won’t be available.
“It shouldn’t affect too much because the Christmas trees are all outside,” he told FFXnow. “… It should be all right, but it just won’t be the same without everything in storage.”
Rebuilding the structures that were lost, however, is a different story.
Following the fire, the farm’s operators wrote online that they were “unable to begin cleaning up and rebuilding until the investigation is complete.”
According to Andy Krop, who operates the farm with his father and its founder Larry Krop, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has now wrapped up its investigation and gave the owners permission to clear the ruined structures about a month ago.
To assist the Krop family with its reconstruction efforts, a local supporter launched an online fundraiser that, as of press time, has raised more than $15,000 — 95% of its $16,000 goal — from 144 different patrons.
“Krops Crops has been an important and memory making place for 40 years and they want to continue to serve the community for more generations,” the GoFundMe page says. “Between selling firewood, pumpkins, and Christmas trees they have had hay rides, built a disc golf course, and hosted campfires fires. Having such a beautiful, fun space in Great Falls is such a treasure.”
The volume and speed of donations coming in from the community have been “pretty overwhelming,” Andy Krop says, adding that the total will likely be all the business has to rely on for reconstruction.
“We don’t plan on slowing down or stopping,” Andy said. “[We’re] just going to wait until the end of the year to see where we stand and what we can do to rebuild.”
Started in 1986 as a roadside produce stand, Krop’s Crops says it hopes to stay in business for another 40 years at least. The farm operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, offering different products and attractions depending on the season.
Though the fire department has wrapped up its on-site investigation, it’s unclear whether the spark that ignited September’s fire will ever be identified.
“With large fires like this that caused extensive damage it can be extremely difficult to determine a cause,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson Ashley Hildebrandt told FFXnow.
Fire photo via FCFRD/X
