Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

Welcome to my first blog post. I’m not sure if this will become a regular thing, but it feels like the right place to share our vision for Old Mill Orchard and The Tasting Grove—and to set some clear, honest expectations along the way.

When we made the decision to purchase this property, our goal was simple and heartfelt: bring this space back to life for the community. We envisioned families returning to a local apple orchard, music filling the air again on Thursday nights, and a place where people could gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories. My personal dream was to build a beautiful venue for weddings and events, while also giving back to a community that already does such an incredible job supporting one another.

Now, fair warning—I tend to think in a lot of directions at once—but it all connects.

Dillon and I are both 33, and like many of you, we’ve lived through our share of challenges—personally and professionally. Those experiences shaped how we show up today: with honesty, grit, and a pretty straightforward mindset. I’ve spent years in industries where I was taught that “the customer is always right,” and others where speaking up—especially as a woman—was discouraged. Over time, I realized that success for me wasn’t about climbing someone else’s ladder. It was about building something of our own, something better.

That’s what led us here.

When we found this property, we saw potential—history worth preserving and a future worth building. What we didn’t fully grasp at the time was just how much it would take to get there. Opening a business is no small feat, and doing it in Minnesota comes with its own set of challenges.

Originally, our focus was the orchard and event venue. The restaurant was never part of the plan. But as we got deeper into the process, we realized we needed a way to sustain the business year-round while we worked toward restoring the orchard. That’s how The Tasting Grove came to life.

What started as a simple wine bar quickly evolved—adding beer, whiskey, and eventually a food offering to meet licensing requirements. Without a full kitchen, we chose to focus on fresh, high-quality, approachable options like salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie. It may not be everything to everyone—and that’s okay.

Because here’s the reality: we built this from the ground up. No investors. No grants. No outside funding. Just hard work, long hours, and a belief in what this place can become. Dillon continues to work full-time to help support this vision while we grow.

So when we say we are doing our best—we truly mean it.

We welcome guests with open arms, and we genuinely appreciate support. But we also need to be clear: we are building toward a long-term vision, and we can’t pivot every time someone suggests we should. Not because we don’t care—but because we do. Deeply. About staying focused on what this place is meant to be.

The Tasting Grove is a cocktail lounge first. The food we offer is intentional, thoughtful, and sourced with care from local businesses—but it is not the centerpiece of our business. And while we’re proud of what we serve, expanding or overhauling it simply isn’t where our time, energy, or resources need to go right now.

We’re working toward something bigger: a thriving orchard, a beautiful event space, and a community hub that stands the test of time.

So the next time you walk through our doors, we invite you to be part of that journey. Enjoy the space, the atmosphere, and yes—some of the best cocktails around. But most importantly, understand that we are building this step by step, with purpose.

We can't go chasing waterfalls, we're staying the course, because the vision is the big-picture.