A Last Gathering—and a Lasting Legacy—at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms

On the autumn evening of Saturday, October 31, the sun will set for the final time on Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. But left behind in the hazy twilight will be a rich and powerful legacy—of celebrations hosted, families and communities served, and lives touched indelibly.

The cherished Dexter wedding and event venue, situated on a historic 27-acre estate whose roots reach back to the 1830s, will be closing its doors at the end of the month, after 12 vibrant years in business. And for its swan song soiree, to be held on Friday, October 30, Co-Managing Partners Kieron Hales and Tabitha Mason have designed an intimate event in collaboration with Ann Arbor Distilling Company to benefit the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.

Guests will enjoy strolling appetizers prepared by Cornman Farms’ culinary artisans and cocktails featuring the distillery’s spirits. Ann Arbor Distilling will also unveil a limited-edition bourbon for the occasion—crafted with rare heirloom corn grown right in Dexter. (A lucky silent-auction winner will receive Bottle No. 1 of the new release, along with the barrel in which the bourbon was aged, as well as a private tour and tasting at the distillery for a party of 10.)

“We want this to be a casual, approachable gathering,” Tabitha says. “We’re going to have the bonfires going and the lawn games outside, and you can go watch the sunset and walk through the gardens.”

From 6 to 10 p.m., the 50 folks in attendance will have a farewell opportunity to come together; to share food, drink, and conversation—and, of course, to remember. 

Memories and Meaning

“I would describe this time as bittersweet and full of nostalgia,” Tabitha says about the remaining days at the Farm—days that are still booked up and busy with meticulously curated weddings. 

The sweet part of the equation comes, not surprisingly, from the large and varied community that has formed around Cornman Farms throughout the past dozen years. 

“The last six weeks have been filled with people coming out of the woodwork to share stories and to talk about what it was like to work here, or to be a vendor here, or to get married here, and it has been delightful,” Tabitha says. “It’s reminded me of why Kieron and I started this in the first place.”

A florist asked Tabitha to meet for coffee just to express how much the Farm had meant to her, and how so many vendors feel they were able to grow up professionally as a result of her and Kieron’s support. 

“She said I was the first venue that ever gave her feedback—which, if you know me at all, boy, do I love to give feedback!” Tabitha recalls with a laugh. “But apparently, it inspired her to make a good change, so that was lovely to hear.”

Former team members have been showing up, too—like Maya Pickard, Cornman Farms’ fourth-ever hire, who worked there from 2014 to 2019. Maya recently drove out with her kids in tow for a warm visit filled with fond, and often funny, reminiscence. 

Since its opening, an astounding 519 people have been employed at the Farm. This number—and all the hard work, talent, and commitment it represents—is a particular point of pride for both Tabitha and Kieron.  

Couples married at the venue have also kept in close touch. Several turned out for the Farm’s last special dinner, held on September 13, including one couple who got hitched there twice—first in a small ceremony on their original wedding date, which fell during COVID, and then with a big bash catered by Zingerman’s Delicatessen. 

At that valedictory September supper, “we poured champagne after dessert, and Kieron and I went in the room for a toast,” Tabitha says. “And one of our vendors who was there actually stood up and toasted us after we toasted, which really moved me.” 

A Fitting Finale

Cornman Farms’ very first event back in 2014 was a fundraiser for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, so the symmetry of ending with another fundraiser—this time for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor—couldn’t be more poetic and perfect. 

“For more than a decade, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms has brought people together to take care of one another,” says Bonnie Dockham, the Cancer Support Community’s executive director. “That’s exactly what we do for people facing cancer. We’re deeply grateful to Cornman Farms and Ann Arbor Distilling Company for closing this chapter by supporting our community.”

Giving back has long been at the heart of the Farm’s core values. Over the years, it has provided more than 2,000 meals to the Ronald McDonald House through its Cook for a Cause program; supported eight to 12 local nonprofits annually; and donated more than 100 private dinners to community organizations, including Food Gatherers, Habitat for Humanity, and Planned Parenthood, which have raised upwards of $200,000. 

“I’ve always thought that business gets a bad rap,” Tabitha says. “Business can do good, and profit can let you do great things. That’s been my take on it from the very beginning. So I wanted to end on something I could be super, super proud of.”

There’s a whole lot for Cornman Farms to look back on and be proud of: 12 joyful years of beautiful weddings, unforgettable meals, grateful guests, and dedicated team members. Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is the grace and dignity with which Kieron and Tabitha are winding down the Farm and moving forward into the future.

How does Tabitha anticipate feeling when the last guest leaves, the final event concludes, and she steps outside to breathe in the crisp night air? 

“What I’m envisioning is that I feel very proud”—there’s that word again—“because we did what we said we were going to do, and we were who we were,” she reflects. “I’m going to be me until the very end, having led a business full of integrity and doing hard things and showing people that chapters open and close. And the time to do something else is now.”