#farmerfridays: Hollenbeck's Cider Mill
On this #farmerfridays, we are excited to feature the great work Matt Hollenbeck and his team are doing in keeping family traditions strong at Hollenbeck's Cider Mill. (When you get to talk about local donuts, apple cider, and pie (mmmm, PIE!), you know it's going to be a good start to the weekend!)
SVHC: How long have you been producing your delicious goods in Cortland County for?
HCM: Hollenbeck's Cider Mill has been pressing cider in Virgil since 1933. Throughout the years we've added donuts, the store, and finally, the bakery, to be the Hollenbeck's you know it today. I bought the business from my cousin in November 2016, after having worked for him for a number of years.
SVHC: How long have you been producing your delicious goods in Cortland County for?
HCM: Hollenbeck's Cider Mill has been pressing cider in Virgil since 1933. Throughout the years we've added donuts, the store, and finally, the bakery, to be the Hollenbeck's you know it today. I bought the business from my cousin in November 2016, after having worked for him for a number of years.
SVHC: What are the goods that Hollenbeck's makes exactly?
HCM: We produce value-added products, cider, donuts, and scratch baked pies in our main season, and a growing collection of other baked goods during the slower portion of our season.
SVHC: What has been your biggest joy as a local producer?
HCM: The greatest joy for me, is being part of other families annual traditions. Hearing from people that it isn't Thanksgiving for their family without our pie, from Cortland expats that always visit us on any trip back, or seeing three generations of a family together watching me press cider. I've had all those experiences and feelings throughout my life, and it's an awesome feeling to be able to provide that to others.
SVHC: What has been your greatest challenge as a local producer in Cortland County?
HCM: The greatest challenge for me in a business that is extremely seasonally variable in its needs is finding, training, keeping, and providing a living wage for employees.
SVHC: If you could tell your community one thing, what would it be?
HCM: We're open more than they think. Despite having been open through the end of February for decades, we get people that stop in and say "I'm so glad you're open, I thought you closed after Thanksgiving."
SVHC: How can the community purchase your goods or connect with you?
HCM: You can only get our products by stopping by the Mill. Cider season runs from mid-September through the end of February/early March. This year we'll be opening on the weekends during the summer and hosting the Virgil Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings! You can find more out and contact us at our website
www.HollenbecksCiderMill.com