Offers are being accepted on the 46-year-old landmark

Tom’s Farms, the iconic landmark that has defined Temescal Valley for decades, is for sale.

Braun International Real Estate has issued a call for offers for the 46-acre tourist attraction that includes 16 buildings and structures, and two adjacent undeveloped parcels.

While no sales price is listed in the memorandum, it’s noted that financial information will be provided upon receipt of an executed confidentiality agreement and that offers are being considered on a first-come-first-offer basis. The business and property are owned by the family of Thomas H. Barnes Sr., who died of cancer in July 2001 at the age of 55.

The Tom Barnes story is a familiar one in Temescal Valley. Tom grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and began his career selling his father’s strawberries door-to-door. He moved west in the early ‘70s and leased land in Lake Elsinore where he opened a produce stand that did so well the landowner decided he wanted it and evicted Tom.

According to the Tom’s Farms’ website, “Driving home to Anaheim, slightly brokenhearted, but with his boundless energy, strong work ethic and unwavering integrity still intact, he found an idyllic spot in Temescal Canyon, right below the Cleveland National Forest. He named his place Tom’s Farms.”

Barnes eventually purchased the land and in 1974 built the 3,500-square-foot produce stand followed by the hamburger restaurant in 1977. The construction of the Interstate 15 in 1978 provided easy access for freeway motorists. Tom’s Farms continued to grow and through the years additional shops, restaurants and attractions were added.

While all assets, inventory and restaurants are included in the sale, Tom’s Farms does not own the Cheese & Wine Shoppe business. The building is leased by the Frank Hetland Sr. family that owns the business. Barnes and Hetland were close friends for many years.

According to Robert Lizano, Tom’s Farms’ general manager, “The family has made this difficult decision to sell the property and is in hopes of finding another family or group of investors willing to continue the Tom’s Farms legacy.”

Lizano added, “The siblings have chosen to sell because they believe a new set of owners would have the necessary long-term financial commitment to truly take the complex to new competitive levels.”

Lizano acknowledged that if a sale occurs there is no guarantee that the buyer will retain the Tom’s Farms operation. “But it will be a major goal of the sale objective to find someone who will retain the Tom’s Farms business concept and make it grow to an even more beautiful complex,” he said.

The 20-page Call for Offers brochure can be viewed at http://www.braunco.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/TomsFarms_OM.pdf