Koan’s Orchard

Just meh. From just exterior appearances, it looks rather cute and inviting with an old-​fashioned «general store» feel, but that’s where the praise ends.
We drove over to Koan’s one day late last fall, arriving about 45 minutes before they closed, to buy some cider and donuts and maybe pick out a pumpkin. What we found was, on the surface, a cute little orchard and gift shop, but after that, it was all downhill.
The pumpkin patch outside was small, but cute and the pumpkins appeared to be of good quality. When we walked into the main store, however, we were greeted by nothing but silence. We yelled «hello» over and over and over again and still, no response. I wish I had a dollar for every time we yelled «hello» and got nothing but radio silence in return. It was clear that workers were in the kitchen area just around the corner and obviously not out of ear shot, but they still continued to ignore our presence. Awkwardly, we wandered around the shop and looked over the goods– produce, jams, pumpkins, doughnuts, cider, etc. The entire time, we were the only people there.
Prices seemed very high on everything, especially the cider. I think it was nearly twice the price as the cider at Almar Orchards and the selection was very limited. I swear, I only saw a few jugs. After that, we proceeded to look through the doughnut case and surprise, surprise– they were nearly out! It was slim pickings, indeed. Again, this was about 40 – 45 minutes before they closed, but since they were supposed to be open for nearly another hour, I still expected them to actually acknowledge our presence and have some actual product on the floor. It’s not like we walked in there three minutes before closing and demanded to look around all day. It wasn’t what we were expecting at all. In short, I wasn’t impressed by the selection. What little I did see of the doughnuts was kinda pitiful and the cider was really expensive. Plus, doesn’t every orchard/​cider mill let you try a free sample of the cider first before buying? Hmm. That wasn’t going to happen here.
As for the produce, seasonings and jams, they seemed overpriced, but there was a fairly decent variety, particularly when it came to apples.
In the end, after yelling «hello» and walking all the way around to the edge of the kitchen area in the back, where I could clearly see two people working, no one ever acknowledged us or came out onto the sales floor. That was odd and unexpected. As we left, we yelled «bye» and headed out the door while I watched a lady taking out the orchard’s trash. She never acknowledged us, either, even as we drove away without bothering to pick up any pumpkins. The whole experience was just kind of off-​putting.

Their donuts are amazing and we love seeing the animals. There are a TON of bees, though. Way more than I’ve seen at any other orchard. It’s not a place that I’d make a special trip to. Pretty small orchard. But if you drive past, definitely stop and get some donuts!