Fuhrman’s Cider Mill and Bakery will reopen, pairing with willing partners to develop at a new location.
“We basically sold the business,” said former co-owner Roger Schultz. Previously, Fuhrman’s Cider Mill and Bakery was located on East Gore Road in Millcreek Township, but a devastating fire burned that building down.
“Once Fuhrman’s reopens it will stay open longer and not just the four months in the fall,” said Schultz.
The real estate closing will happen during the first week of March, and an anticipated opening is set for July or early August.
Schultz, a farmer, has been caught in a storm the last couple years. Between politicians and banks, it was becoming tough to reopen the cider mill. Schultz and the other former co-owner, Bill Gunther, contemplated 20 location sites but nothing was working.
Banks did not want to lend out money, and as a farmer Schultz could see how badly our country was dealing with the financial crisis. The fire couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Finally, Mercer State Bank stepped up to the plate to help.
But financially, it was not clicking to get the cider mill built back at the original location.
“It was to cost $1.8 million and we were appraised at $1 million, “ said Schultz.
The Erie landmark’s new location will be at 8270 Peach St., previously the site of Perry Hi-Way Hose Co.
A Facebook group has more than 1,500 members that were hoping and supporting a re-build of the cider mill. It is a local tradition for people within the area.
“The response has been overwhelming from the public, and they can not wait.”
Schultz often went to the cider mill with his dad when he was little. With new owners, Schultz still doesn’t intend to miss a beat at the new location.
Economically, the cider mill reopening will benefit local communities. Fuhrman’s Cider Mill and Bakery needs help from Greenfield Basket Factory Inc., located south of Colt Station. They produce wood baskets that the cider mill uses, like an eight quart basket for apples.
“It felt good to call up Greenfield Baskets and let them know I will need a truck haul of baskets unlike the last three years,” said Schultz. “It is an economic trickle down and an example of that are the baskets.”
The old major presses were salvaged. They will be refurbished and sanitized to get ready for this fall. “We live here, and we are not going anywhere, and our profits won’t leave the state,” Schultz said.
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