Popular Orchard Closes After 75 Years In Cheshire, Family Announces ‘With A Heavy Heart’

CHESHIRE, CT — A popular family-owned orchard has closed after 75 years in years in business in Cheshire.

The Drazen family announced this week “with a heavy heart” that Drazen Orchards is “now permanently closed and will not be reopening this year or the foreseeable future.”

“This is a difficult decision for us,” the family wrote in a post on the orchard’s website. “We know that many of you will be disappointed. However, at this stage of our lives, we are choosing to not go through another season of ever-increasing costs, hard work and long hours that go into producing a worthwhile crop. That reality comes into particular focus considering the past winter and spring which has caused much damage resulting in few, if any, peaches, pears, apples, plums, quince, or blueberries.

“We have chosen to cut our losses by reducing or eliminating many of our costs such as labor, spray applications, mowing, fuel, electricity, water, equipment maintenance, general repairs, supplies, etc., all of which have greatly increased over the years.”

Drazen Orchards, located on Wallingford Road in Cheshire, opened in 1951.

“Many will ask what comes next and, as of now, we do not have a firm plan,” the family wrote. “In regard to this and other matters we kindly ask you to respect our privacy as we navigate the future.

“We thank all who over the many years have visited and supported Drazen Orchards. We are grateful to have shared fond memories and hope you will understand our decision and wish us well.”

See also: Shuttered Iconic Farm Gets New Life In Cheshire