Operations at Erwin Orchards will be assumed by the owners of Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill.
Peter Blake, co-owner of the Armada-based business, confirmed the deal for Hometown Life, saying they had financially committed to the deal and were working out the details.
“We’ve got a big vision for the property but will maintain the integrity of Erwin’s and put the Blake spin on it,” he told the paper.
It’s the latest piece of a development deal that will be called Orchard Crossings. The 181-acre project will be located at Silver Lake and Kent Lake roads and will include 161 homes on 77 acres built by Lombardo Homes. Another 104 acres will contain the remainder of the orchards and a cider mill.
A 20,000-square-foot tasting room is planned by Blake’s, located on the northeast corner of Silver Lake and Kent Lake roads and would include a full-service restaurant. There will also be a 20,000 square-foot event venue, outdoor patio and farmer’s market.
Plans are for the existing cider mill on the south side of Silver Lake to be expanded by 12,500 square feet with an outdoor gathering space called “Orchard Square” and an “agritainment” area with four pavilions that can host larger events on a 10-acre area.
