Big plans, new owners for Warren County farm market

The former Hidden Valley Fruit Farm has new owners and and is expected to reopen in April with a coffee bar, fresh produce and homemade baked goods, custard and other treats.

Robyn and Randy Lane also plan to serve beer and drinks at the bar and at wedding receptions, birthday and corporate parties, they said.

Long-term plans call for a winery and cidery, Randy Lane said.

"Hidden Valley was purchased by a local Lebanon, Ohio family. The business has been renamed HIDDEN VALLEY ORCHARDS!" according to the business' website.

Last week, they applied for a liquor license to serve beer and “any intoxicating liquor” at the 60-year-old agritourism business on Ohio 48 in Northern Warren County.

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On March 13, Hidden Valley Spirits LLC, 5474 N. Ohio 48 in Clearcreek Twp., applied for an A1A license, according to Ohio Department of Commerce records.

Hidden Valley Spirits is headed by Lane, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.

Lane took over for Robert Ullrich, the incorporator in 2013 and the long-time proprietor of the business, which sold produce and baked goods and other items and held seasonal festivals.

Hidden Valley Spirits’ purpose is listed as “manufacture and retail sale of wine, beer, cider and other non-distilled spirits, and the growth of herbs and other agricultural products for the manufacture of wine, beer, cider and other non-distilled spirits, and for all other lawful purposes.”

In 2015, Ullrich registered the trade name ‘Black Dog Hard Cider’.

Last year, Lane replaced Ullrich as agent for the corporation.

Lane is also CEO of Microtek Laboratories and American Thermal Instruments (ATI) in Dayton.

He said he looked forward to taking advantage of synergies between the businesses.

ATI indicators will be used to keep the foods at Hidden Valley Orchards fresh, while providing customer feedback on new devices, Lane said.

Likewise Microtek temperature management products would be put to use at the new business, he said.

“Hidden Valley Fruit Farm was founded in 1951 and now comprises of over 70 acres. We grow various fruits and vegetables including apples, pears, peaches, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, red raspberries, asparagus, tomatoes and more,” according to its website.

“Hidden Valley has the original barn built on the property - which is over 150 years old!,” the website says.

The liquor license pending with the state permits holders to serve beer or liquor by the glass or container until 2:30 a.m., according to the Ohio Department of Commerce website.

Lane said he hoped to later obtain licenses for the winery and cidery.

MORE: Microbrewer to partner with Hidden Valley Fruit Farm

This is the latest such plan at the old fruit farm.

Ullrich also talked of making hard cider from apples grown at the farm.

In 2014, brewer Jerrod Fisher said zoning issues in Clearcreek Twp. prompted him to scrap his plans to brew beer there.

Now Fisher is expected to open Alematic Artisan Ales in Huber Heights.

MORE: Microbrewery to open in Huber Heights

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