See How Much This N.J. Town Paid to Keep This Popular Garden Center as Open Space
17 Sep, 2025 - Tranzon Auction Properties
As seen on NJ.com
Going once. Going twice. And ... sold!
The Township of Montville on Wednesday outbid numerous real estate investors at a public auction and bought Condursos Garden Center, the historic farm off River Road that has been in business for 96 years.
Montville Township Administrator June E. Hercek submitted the high bid of $6 million during a feverish 20-minute public auction held at the farm. Montville plans to keep the 28-acre farm as open space.
“This is a great day for Montville,” said Mayor Matthew Kayne. “This is an old farm community, and with this purchase we continue to preserve the character of our township as best we can.”
Condursos, a vegetable farm started by Italian immigrants Bartholomew and Rose Condurso in 1929, was a family business that grew with suburbia to become a major supplier of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees.
Condursos thrived for generations but in recent years fell into bankruptcy. The auction held Wednesday at the farm was ordered by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Mindful that a 28-acre chunk of farmland in an upscale suburban community would attract real estate developers, the Montville Township Committee recently adopted an ordinance to use its Open Space Fund to purchase the property.
The auction, conducted by Tranzon Auction Properties, drew 19 potential bidders, according to company officials. Bidding for the property — which contains greenhouses, barns, a retail sales center, and a single-family home — started at $1 million.
The bidding heated up right away, as hands were raised and auctioneer Michael Carey rattled off the increases in $250,000 increments. After five minutes, the price tag on the property, which is assessed at $2.7 million, had risen beyond that.
“Do I hear $1 million?” Carey urged. A hand shot up. “Do I hear $1250? How about $1250?” Another hand was raised.
Hercek, the township administrator, kept matching bids, all the way up to the moment when a man in the crowd of bidders and onlookers offered $5.9 million.
“Do I hear $6 million?” Carey wanted to know. Hercek raised her hand. Then there was silence.
“This is your last chance!” Carey implored. When no one responded, the property belonged to Montville.
Under terms of the auction, the high bidder had to present a certified check for $100,000 as a down payment, and has 48 hours to come up with 10% of the sale price.
Montville has until Oct. 31 to close on the property. Until then, a banner hung over the sign at the main entrance says everything must go and all items are 50% off through Oct. 31.
Kayne said the township committee is buying the property to maintain it as open space. But right now there are no specific plans on how to use it, he said.