McCallum's Orchard branching out with food truck, presence at the Lot downtown

Jackie Smith, Port Huron Times Herald
·3 min read
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill is branching out this summer.

Rebecca Kresek, general manager for the Jeddo-based business, said they’ve been occupying the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron for roughly a month.

And since the first weekend this month, they’ve also put a new food truck into operation — something they hope helps them diversify the orchard to operate year-round.

McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill employee Karissa Fay makes a deluxe cider slushy at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill employee Karissa Fay makes a deluxe cider slushy at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

“We’ve been wanting to do it for a couple years now,” Kresek said Thursday. Referring to a co-worker, she added, “Steve (Vanheusen and I) have just been talking about it because we wanted to spread our wings out of just the orchard. … And this keeps us going when the orchard (doesn’t) have the apples yet. So, we’re constantly going in the truck to all the events to keep us in business while the orchard is closed. We can keep our employees working year-round, which is our goal.”

At the Lot this week, Kresek said they’re selling some of McCallum’s merchandise inside the pod, 901 Fourth St., after property owner Scott Beedon unveiled the Lot as a gathering venue, working with the Flying Taco food truck late this spring. Renderings shown to city planners have also included the concept of a food truck court at the Lot, and more recently, the venue has been hosting live entertainment.

McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill employee Karissa Fay serves a customer a deluxe cider slushy at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill employee Karissa Fay serves a customer a deluxe cider slushy at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

So far, Beedon said everything's been well received with McCallum's fitting into his original vision.

"It's another anchor to the Lot," he said Friday. "Our thoughts were always to have destination-type things. I know I can get a cider slushie (there), I can get a donut, I know I can get a taco."

While visitors dined on Mexican food at seating outside on Thursday, McCallum’s was ready inside with raspberry lemonade and cider slushies, and shelves of their honey, jam, and salsa. Their donuts, Kresek said, had quickly sold.

T-shirts are displayed at the The McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill store inside the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
T-shirts are displayed at the The McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill store inside the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

“We have a lady that makes us specialty cards that you can only purchase here or at the orchard, and they’re all geared to the orchard,” she said. “So, those are really cool.”

They’re also waiting for the state's approval of a liquor license, permitting off-premises tasting and sale. Port Huron council members approved the recommendation of their application last month.

When it comes through, Kresek said, “We’re going to do wine slushies, hard cider and then sell our wine here. We’re just waiting on the state of Michigan.”

The food truck, she said, made its debut at the Algonac Pickerel Festival. They also have plans to be in Goodells this month for the county 4-H fair, as well as the Lexington Art Fair and Yale Bologna Festival.

McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill offers a variety of donuts with dipping sauce at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill offers a variety of donuts with dipping sauce at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

“We have something (almost) every single weekend,” Kresek said.

The general manager said much of what they offer, such as cider slushies, is also available in the truck. Then, there are the caramel nachos — luckily, free of cheese.

“You cut up an apple into slices and cover it in caramel and cinnamon and chocolate — whatever you want on it,” Kresek said.

“We make hot donuts in the truck, serve them hot,” she added. “So, we are pretty excited.”

McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.
McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill at the pod at the Lot venue at Fourth and Water streets in downtown Port Huron on Friday, July 8, 2022.

For more on McCallum's and the Lot, visit their pages on Facebook.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith. 

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: McCallum's Orchard branching out with food truck, presence at the Lot downtown