The Farm 1893 grows into all-inclusive destination

BERLIN HEIGHTS — In 2019, spouses Rachel and Walt Wlodarsky collectively said "I do" to a passion project. Fast-forward to today, and they've upheld their vows to completely transform a 10-acre site into a premier destination, honoring their family's legacy, providing a first-class wedding venue for engaged couples and, eventually, setting up a future business entrusted to the next generation of Wlodarskys: their three daughters, Ella, Karin and Taylor. After a six-year painstaking process of evolving a former apple orchard, just a few weeks ago, the Wlodarskys publicly unveiled The Farm 1893, the area's newest wedding and gathering venue, at 12211 Berlin Road, Berlin Heights. The couple — married for 24 years themselves — desired to breathe new life into the farm. For the past 40 years or so, it had been leased out to grain farmers. "It's an amazing property," said Walt, whose side of the family — dating back to his great-great-great-grandparents — started an apple orchard there in 1893. The property, known as Wlodarsky Fruit Farm, later produced peaches and plums up until the late 1980s when it strictly became for grain only. "Our main goal was to retain the property and take it back to its former glory days, once again becoming something viable," Walt said. Walt, a career welder who owns the company Weld Tech, wanted to keep the site rustic. Meanwhile, Rachel — a Cleveland State University associate professor for master's and doctoral programs in adult learning and development — strived to modernize the property with touches of elegance sprinkled throughout. "We didn't want to go back to farming apples. We wanted to find a different purpose for it," Rachel said. "We have owned rental properties — like apartments, condos and houses — and believed we could convert this into a wedding venue, renting it out to couples." Vivid memories revisited As a young boy, Walt spent a large portion of his youth on the farm, learning, developing and honing many skills he still greatly values to this day. "I've grown up here my whole life, and it basically taught me everything I know, especially hard work and dedication and perseverance," Walt said. "When we had a chance to buy it back, we wanted to do it because once it's gone, it's gone forever. My memories here, they are still so strong, and I didn't want to let go." Rachel, who's originally from Vermilion, traveled to the very farm as a young girl years before she even met Walt. "My dad, Dave Hatala, owned a manufacturing company here on Driver Road, Shan-Rod, and when I was a kid, I would go with my dad, and we would visit Sparkle Market, a grocery store up town in Berlin Heights," Rachel recalled. "My dad would take me up there for lunches, and then we would drive by the farm at Christmastime. They would sell Christmas trees here, and that's where we would go to get them." Rachel, like many other community members from years past, visited K & L Nursery to purchase Christmas trees along with landscaping and yard maintenance services. The K & L stood for Walt's mom, Karen, and dad, Larry, who ran the nursery. "It's not just me: We both have a great personal stake in this place," Walt said. The Wlodarskys live across the road from the farm. The parents would often reminisce with their daughters, sharing stories about the farm. With every good memory, however, sadness lingered over the property's state due to its decline without offering a true public presence. But now, with The Farm 1893 up and running, all five Wlodarskys can begin making new memories at this completely renovated property open to the public. "We are so happy," said Rachel, noting that she and Walt "have this hope and desire that our girls want to be a part of it, the business, in the near future." The three — Ella, a recent college graduate; Karin, who's in college; and Taylor, about to graduate from Huron High School — "haven't been able to invest as much time here as we'd like," said Rachel, noting they're primarily concentrating on their studies right now. "But we have raised them to see the value of hard work and the meaning of family. We don't want to force this on them, but we hope they understand and appreciate what we have done, and, one day, they can run this place that we love so much." Welcome a wedding venue When Rachel and Walt purchased the property from a family member to build up what would eventually become The Farm 1893, they began an extensive top-to-bottom, wide-sweeping renovation of the site. "It took just a year-and-a-half to get a clean slate here," said Walt, noting they filled 35 40-yard dumpsters of junk, trash, roughly 40 dead trees and six dilapidated buildings. During this first phase, the two solidified the plan of establishing a wedding venue. "Once we started clearing the land, we could visualize it a little better," Rachel said. Among the two buildings left standing: a former packing house where Walt's family stored and packed apples. They envisioned this structure hosting wedding ceremonies, receptions and other gatherings. "We have been to many weddings around here, and they were nice, but we wanted to create something different," Walt said. Added Rachel: "Yes, something unique that other venues didn't have," Rachel chimed in. "We don't want to be competition." What resulted: a one-of-a-kind location offering more than just a place where people can get married. Among the features present and modern amenities offered: • A 5,000-square-foot wedding venue, in the packing house, capable of seating up to 275 people; Throughout the grounds, plenty of space exists for an outdoor ceremony with many different photo ops all around scenic areas, including two water features, a campfire station and a forthcoming wildflower field. Many facets of the fruit farm, including an old freezer door and repurposed metal — previously on the outside, now adorning the ceiling for a unique look— carried over into this new era for the packing house. • An extensive bar space in which bartenders can serve drinks either inside or outside along a covered porch • A massive catering-sized kitchen with the latest refrigeration and freezer units, storing racks, prep tables and a massive sink • Separate men's and women's bathrooms, accommodating multiple people at once • Air conditioning and heating The other leftover structure, known as a bridal barn — where ice for the farm was once stored — offers a place for bridal parties to get ready. There are dedicated hair and makeup stations, a dressing area with a full bathroom and a lounge. There's also a loft inside where people can congregate and socialize. Additionally, the Wlodarskys also bought, custom-built and decorated four converted grain bins into luxury-style living spaces where guests —including brides and grooms, bridal parties, families and guests, such as those from out of town — can stay overnight right on the grounds. They can collectively accommodate 25 people. "This is our philosophy: We are here to help couples slow down their big day and enjoy and make memories on one of the most important events of their lives," said Rachel, emphasizing the all-inclusive nature of this destination, acting as a one-stop shop for weddings. She explained: "When you feel really rushed, like me and Walt were on our wedding day, you aren't necessarily able to remember anything, let alone make lasting memories. What we offer here is something convenient, having your family and friends in one place, where it's peaceful, and you can have a quiet place and watch a sunset without going anywhere. You can show up on Friday, celebrate Saturday and stay through Sunday morning. We don't have any desire to do three weddings in three days. We want to have one really great wedding over one weekend." All three daughters each placed a personal touch within a specific bin to offer a few key differences from one another. Most notably, people can spot some differences with the color schemes, yet each offers at least one bedroom, one bathroom, a lounge area, a kitchenette and other modern accommodations. Beyond repurposing older items from his family's farm, Walt incorporated other materials — including wood from the former Mean Streak roller coaster at Cedar Point, used to create spiraled staircases and the exterior fence — striking the balance of rustic-meets-elegance. "I'm amazed with how it came out," said Walt, adding that the space can even welcome a couple of RVs. "From where we were to what it is today, it's amazing. We went a little excessive on the landscaping — thank you, Miller Landscaping, for the great job — but it looks so good. When I originally wanted to restore the land to its better days, I didn't imagine this, but this is the best outcome. My main goal was for it to stand out, and it does." Designed for their daughters Because of their careers, Rachel and Walt prefer leaving the day-of wedding responsibilities to the experts. "People can still use their own vendors — caterers, photographers, DJs — and bring in who they like," Rachel said. "We won't interfere with that at all." But The Farm 1893 offers a space for more than just weddings. "While that's what we focus on, we can do graduation parties, corporate events, Christmas parties and baby/bridal showers," Rachel said. Not long ago, Fisher-Titus brought its employees together for a Kentucky Derby-inspired fundraising event there. Starting The Farm 1893 also gives people a reason to visit Berlin Heights, a quaint village that its residents take great pride in. "We did want to find a balance between growth and not taking away from the small-town country feel that Berlin Heights is all about," Rachel said. In fact, those from the Berlin Heights Historical Society provided heaps of information and insights about this property. Rachel began framing old photographs and related newspaper clippings she'll use to place on the walls of The Farm 1893's packing house to inform guests about the property's history. "We believe this fits well with what Berlin Heights is known for: You still have that farm feel here, but now it's a destination," Rachel said. "We have gone above and beyond in talking with the community and neighbors, finding what is important with them, trying to be respectful to everyone's feelings. This will not be a wild-and-crazy party place. It's a place where families can come together and celebrate life's important moments." Walt underscored how the state's agritourism industry greatly helped in this development process, which included getting the proper zoning situated. "Everyone involved in this project, they understood this was the best way to keep the legacy of a small farm alive in a new way," Walt said. "They and so many have helped us out, and we're grateful." People can learn more about The Farm 1893, including how to book an event there, by visiting thefarm1893.com, or searching for "The Farm 1893" on Facebook or Instagram. Everything Rachel and Walt did, breathing new life into a historic site, circles back to maintaining family roots while looking out for the future of their three daughters. "With both of our jobs we have had over the years, it has given us the flexibility to be present and raise our kids as opposed to someone else doing it. We worked as a family to have that happen," Rachel said. "And I see this business as being able to do the same thing, provide for them, as businesswomen, to thrive while still having the flexibility to raise a family and not having to make a choice between work and family." Walt nodded in full agreement with Rachel, immensely joyful about the many professional and personal opportunities The Farm 1893 can offer their daughters: now and in the future. "We would love for our daughters to have their weddings here, work here and keep the memory of our farm alive while making it their own," Rachel said.