Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills – City of The Week
Franklin Cider Mill won the WCSX Cider Mill Madness bracket challenge in 2022 and they wholeheartedly deserve it. With City of the Week being in Bloomfield Hills, we decided to…
Sergio Jr. prepares the apples for pressing. 7 layers of chopped apples are wrapped and then pressed. – At Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills
Donielle FlynnFranklin Cider Mill won the WCSX Cider Mill Madness bracket challenge in 2022 and they wholeheartedly deserve it. With City of the Week being in Bloomfield Hills, we decided to make this week's celebration all about the mill that stands on the fringe of Bloomfield Hills looking across the street at Franklin. Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills.
The History of Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills
The mill began construction in 1832 and was completed in 1837. The lumber was all hand-cut. The nails were all made by the local blacksmith. Originally a grist mill, the Franklin Cider Mill came to be in 1918 when it was purchased by Robert McKee. After Robert bought the mill, he brought his brother in to help. McKee's brother also brought an old German recipe for spiced donuts with him... the same recipe is used by the mill today. The mill became the property of the Peltz family in 1966 and has been family-owned and run ever since. For more on the mill's history, check out the Franklin Cider Mill website.
The history of Franklin Cider Mill is also found in the people who work there. Franklin Cider Mill has employees that are second generation. I met Kevin who runs the donut shop. He started working at the cider mill when he was a teenager. Kevin's parents both worked at Franklin. In fact, Kevin's dad ran the donut shop before Kevin. I met Sergio and Sergio Jr. Sergio met his wife while working at Franklin Cider Mill. Sergio and his son, Sergio Jr. work together getting the apples ready for pressing.
About Franklin's Cider
Franklin Cider Mill doesn't have their own orchard. Instead, they use the best apples Michigan's orchards have to offer. The taste of the cider evolves through the season depending on the apples they are using and whether or not the weather has been cold enough to create a frost. Franklin Mills uses honey crisp apples in their cider. On top of that, Franklin offers a cider that's made using ONLY honey crisp apples. You can see which apples are used at what times of the season on the Franklin Cider Mill's product page.
Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills Video
In conclusion, special thanks to Laura for an amazing tour. By the way, if you call Franklin Cider Mill, you'll most likely be speaking to Laura. Laura believes in strong customer service from live people. Thus, live people answer the phones at Franklin!
Laura also likes to practice group leadership. She believes in the idea that the employees of Franklin Cider Mill should be able to take ownership of their roles. It must be working! Many of Franklin Cider Mill's staff have been there for decades.
Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills Photo Gallery
Franklin Cider Mill
Donielle FlynnWelcome to Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills! Doni visited Franklin in the Fall when the apples are ripe!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnA river runs through it. The mills all needed to be near water since they used water to power their mills back in the day. I love crossing the bridge over to Franklin Cider Mill.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnDoni and Laura from Franklin Cider Mill. Laura gives the Doni the deluxe tour.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnSergio met his wife while he was working at Franklin Cider Mill. Now his son, Sergio Jr. helps him with the job of pressing the apples.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnSergio Jr. prepares the apples for pressing. 7 layers of chopped apples are wrapped and then pressed. - At Franklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnThe press is original and dates back to 1837. Franklin Cider Mill is a historical site, so they need to keep the structure the same.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle Flynnoriginal stone work from the mill dating back to the 1800s.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnA trough of freshly washed apples heads to the chopper.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnSaul does it all! Saul is the production manager. He oversees the making of the cider. Behind Doni and Saul you can see one of the three large tanks that hold the fresh-pressed cider.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Franklin Cider Mill Photo Ops
Donielle FlynnThe Franklin Cider Mill has some really nice photo ops including the antique tractor! these young ladies (with their parent's permission) were kind enough to model for us!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnUsing a fork life, each crates of apples is lifted to this platform. The platform raises on one end to dump the apples in to the hopper where they get washed.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnFranklin Cider Mill made themselves a congratulations poster after they won the WCSX Cider Mill Madness. The whole staff signed it!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnMelanie, Jason, and Laura: The three owners of Franklin Cider Mill. The Mill has been owned by members of the Peltz family since 1966.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnThe special Franklin Cider Mill sign made from license plates... they use a picture of this on their Facebook page
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnKenny and Kevin run the donut shop. Kenny has been with Franklin Cider Mill for 12 years. Kevin's dad ran the donut shop and Kevin has worked at Franklin Cider Mill since he was in his teens. Now Kevin runs the donut shop just like his dad before him.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnNaturally, Doni needed a taste test: IT'S GOOD!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnFRanklin Cider Mill has a ton of delicious products including apple pie bread for making the greatest French toast ever!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnYou can buy the same apples that Franklin Cider Mill uses in their cider!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnFranklin Cider Mill also offers some amazing, jams, jellies, and preserves. They also have everything from pickles to mustards!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnFranklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnDoni tried a cider slushy... it is DELICIOUS!
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
Donielle FlynnFranklin Cider Mill: Bloomfield Hills has multiple station to minimize line wait.
Franklin Cider Mill Bloomfield hills
