Final Farewell to Harrisville Tasting Room

October 23, 2019 122 Comments

The Best of Times & the Greatest of People

 

“Once you put a glass of wine in somebody’s hand,

they become friends.” -- Venita Larson

 

Imagine a small, funky, artsy kind of space in the middle of the woods—jam packed! Elbow-to-elbow, standing room only, and a line of people out the door waiting to get inside.

Maybe it was the 4^th of July or a Labor Day celebration, could have been a Halloween blowout or even just a random ole day, it’s hard to say. The little shop was always filled to the brim with fun-loving people making pals around the ironing board, this joint’s eclectic extension of their bar.

Either way, there they were—packed in and gathered around, sharing wine and telling stories, slapping high-fives and enjoying life, when she heard it in the air: It was someone’s birthday.

Could they? Would they?

Of course, they would! Like a scene from a movie, everyone raised their glasses and sang an all-in “Happy Birthday”, old friends and new, smiles all-around and forever memories made.

It was the best of times inside Modern Craft Wine Tasting Room - Harrisville, owned by the greatest of people, Mark and Venita Larson.

And while those good times have now come full circle—Labor Day Monday, 2019, marked the end of an era and the closing of doors at Modern Craft Wine Tasting Room in Harrisville for good—Mark and Venita Larson are, and will always be, Modern Craft Crew and MC Family.

 

“My favorite job I’ve ever had.”

 

“We met so many wonderful, inspiring, interesting people,” Venita says. “We had so many special conversations and made so many connections. People come in to experience the wine, but the wine isn’t the only experience. Stories are shared, good times are had. This is my favorite job I’ve ever had.”

Mark and Venita’s decision to close the shop was personal and based on multiple reasons. The semi-retired couple look forward to enjoying some downtime after nearly 10 years of owning and operating the spirited little shop in Harrisville, established in 2012 as one of the very first Modern Craft Wine Tasting Rooms in Michigan.

Venita says that alongside meeting all the different people and proudly introducing them to Modern Craft Wines and “The Mixperience”, she’s most touched by the two charity wines she and Mark were part of with Modern Craft.

• “Juju” – Named after Mark and Venita’s dog, who was a rescue dog, “Juju” wine was exclusive to Harrisville; Mark and Venita donated proceeds from “Juju” to the Alcona County Humane Society as part of their Precious Paws program.

 

• “WTF” – Or “Wine Tasting Friends”, Mark and Venita also created “WTF” wine for sale in Harrisville in support of local, volunteer-based radio station, WXTF, where Venita still hosts her 10 a.m. Saturday morning show, “V’s Vibe” (which is also the name of a blog Venita’s written). Venita plays a variety of music in celebration of underground and not-on-the-air musicians. Harrisville residents can tune to 97.9 FM; others can visit wxtflp979.com to tune in!

 

Farewell, Forever Friends

 

We’re sad to see Mark and Venita move on, but we’re honored to know these two grassroots supporters of Modern Craft and hands-down amazing people.

Partners since the very beginning, Mark made our first wholesale sales, created “Slow Juke Juice” (MC Blackberry + lemonade), and was there tasting and testing every new mix. These two put in countless, tiring hours pouring and introducing Modern Craft at events throughout the state – Mark and Venita helped built the foundation of who we are today. To say that we will greatly miss them and their contributions is a huge understatement.

It’s hard to see Modern Craft Wine Tasting Room – Harrisville close, one of our very first tasting rooms, but we’ll always hold a special place in our hearts for this unique, tiny little shop that welcomed huge crowds and gathered together adventurous people.

Please, friends, raise your glasses with us in a toast to Modern Craft – Harrisville and to Mark and Venita Larson who made it so special: To the best of times and the greatest of people. We wish you well in your next adventures, Mark and V, and anything that you do—we’ll be your greatest supporters on your VIP customer list. To many more moments together whenever and wherever our paths meet, a heartfelt Thank You and a mighty Cheers!

 

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