Dawn Harnish laughs when NFIB asks why she and her husband, Greg,
bought a gristmill and campground in south central Pennsylvania almost a decade
ago. She jokes that “it was a temporary
moment of insanity” but looking back they wouldn’t have done anything differently. Burnt Cabins Grist Mill and Campground has
grown by leaps and bounds since the couple purchased the property and business
in 2006 located in Fulton County, Pa, just a few miles from Pennsylvania
Turnpike exit 180.
The family run business produces a line of all natural pancake
mixes, flour and corn meal made in the still operating grist mill. A line of specialty pancake mixes such as
pumpkin, apple, and sweet potato are also available on a seasonal basis. Burnt
Cabins Grist Mill products are available in about 175 independent groceries and
markets within a two hour radius of Fulton County and will be available online
later this fall at the company’s website. The family is busy this time of year
fulfilling gift basket orders and special orders for companies and
organizations wishing to provide the grist mill goodness to their customers,
supporters and employees. Burnt Cabins Grist Mill will also be handing out pancake samples in the PA Preferred Marketplace during the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show held in January in Harrisburg.
Before becoming small business owners, Dawn worked in
corporate employee benefits and Greg was an owner/operator truck driver and
grain farmer. They knew they wanted to
purchase farmland of their own. When
they saw the Burnt Cabins Gristmill and Campground available for auction they
took a chance and things just clicked.
Since then the campground, which abuts a stocked trout stream, has gone
from a 25% occupancy rate to 65% and the flour products sales have more than
tripled.
Looking back, Dawn says their only regret is the amount of
time required to be successful. They rarely have a day off for family time. When the camping season ends, flour grinding
season begins, and so the cycle continues.
But, she says her children, now teenagers, have picked up valuable life
lessons growing up around the family business.
They understand that hard work, drive and perseverance is what it takes
to be successful, a lesson that few young people realize.
