Big Red Orchard Cider Mill Romeo – review, pics, and info. New owners have purchased the cider mill formerly known as Miller’s Big Red and have rebranded, restored, and revitalized the historic cider mill, orchards, and u-pick farms.
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The NEW Big Red Orchard will open for 2024 on Saturday, August 29.
Big Red Orchard Cider Mill – What’s New for 2024
It’s been a year since we talked to Trish, owner of Big Red. In our interview with her (BELOW) from just after she purchased the historic Miller’s Big Red… she laid out a grandiose plan to restore the historic Romeo cider mill and make quite a few changes from the Miller’s days. We wanted to see if she was following through on her visions. SPOILER ALERT – She has!
Big Red has installed a new electronic sign at the entrance, improved the parking lot, and are putting the finishing touches on a fantastic event center. The event center will open to the public later this 2024 season and will host events, parties, weddings. If you’ve been to Big Red (or the old Miller’s), you’ll know what an idyllic place it would be for a wedding or gathering.
One space can host up to 100-120 people banquet style and the other room can hold up to 400 people banquet style. The entire south side of the large room will be glass windows that look out towards the plum, peach and apple orchards.
Big Red Orchard Legacy Bar
Trish also came through on her plans to build a bar / restaurant at Big Red. The Orchard and Market will be open Wed-Sun 9a-5p and the Legacy Bar will be open Wed-Fri 4p-10p, Sat 11a-10p and Sun 11a-8p.
Get ready for PLENTY of craft beers and ciders, specialty cocktails (how about a Cherry Pie martini?), local beers, and wine.
Food-wise, Legacy will offer fresh salads, apps, burgers, sandwiches, and a kids meals. Oh yeah, don’t forget about the yummy cider mill inspired desserts. You can see the whole menu HERE.
The Transition from Miller’s Big Red to Big Red Apple Orchard Cider Mill Romeo / 2023
Miller’s Big Red Orchard finished the 2022 Fall season with the announcement that the cider mill and u-pick farm will close for good pending the sale of the farm, the orchard, and all of the land. The thinking of the previous owners at the time was that developers would swoop in and begin constructing houses and subdivisions on the valuable land. Then, something fantastic happened. New owners came in with an idea to restore the historic cider mill and revitalize the land. Long story short… Miller’s Big Red is now Big Red Orchard and will continue to function as a family-fun cider mill, u-pick farm, market, event space, and more!
We reached out to new management to learn more about the crazy timeline of events and to learn what’s in store for Big Red Orchard for this Fall… and beyond. Here’s the interview.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What made you decide to purchase Miller’s Big Red Cider Mill?
Big Red Orchard – When the Orchard went up to auction last year, we knew we had to act. There was too much history, and far too many memories made here to let it all disappear.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What have you been working on the most to get ready for opening? What progress have you made?
Big Red Orchard Romeo – Our top goal is to restore & revitalize the Orchard. We are preserving the rich tradition and farming roots of the Orchard and working to expand the current production. To date, we have removed dilapidated structures that were beyond repair, renovated the original main barn with much needed improvements, planted over 1000 new fruit trees (with 400 more on order for Spring 2024), and farmed much of the land that has not been touched in almost a decade.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – How will the new Big Red Orchard be different from Miller’s Big Red Orchard and Cider Mill?
Big Red Orchard – On the ground level, we have a plan to begin to integrate and utilize regenerative farming practices in the Orchard. We feel it’s important to move towards a more sustainable model. And as we’ve mentioned, we made much needed safety and aesthetic improvements to the Main Barn. When you visit this fall, you will notice that many of the renovations that took place utilized special touches that give homage to the history of Big Red; one of which is our main entrance. It was constructed using barn wood from an old barn that was in ill-repair. We’ve also curated a Market in our Main Barn that showcases local Michigan small businesses and Michigan-made products.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – When do you anticipate opening the Romeo cider mill?
Big Red Orchard – Big Red will be opening Fall 2023 mid-late September. Stay tuned to our website and social media for the big announcement! Rob & Trisha look forward to making new memories and traditions for their family, the Orchard, and all those new and existing families who have come to love Big Red.
Lisa LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What are your long term plans for Big Red Cider Mill?
Big Red Orchard – We love the strong community ties that the Orchard holds, and want to work towards becoming a place where friends and families can gather year-round.
There is a large metal building on property which was left unfinished for over 7 years. Rob & Trish are in the process of submitting plans to turn the space into a mixed-use event space & community asset for weddings, parties, corporate events, showers & graduations, and many more celebrations. They plan to do this all while highlighting the natural beauty of the orchard with stunning views of the apple, peach and plum trees.
Big Red Apple Orchard
4900 32 Mile Rd, Washington Twp, Michigan 48095, 586-752-7888, www.bigredorchard.com
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FEATURE IMAGE CREDIT – www.facebook.com/bigredorchard with permission
For more info on Big Red Orchards Cider Mill Romeo, visit www.bigredorchard.com.
