I visited the Arsenal Cider House on the recommendation of a friend a couple of months ago. I happened to be in the area with my husband (waiting on a table at Coca Cafe), and we decided to walk up the massive hill to the Arsenal in the sweltering August heat to pop in and check it out.
Echoing what others have already said, Michelle was just as nice as could be and told us that we were standing in what used to be the first floor of her home (her husband wasn't around when we visited). She must have noticed that we were out of breath and dripping sweat on her nice wooden floor, because she told us to help ourselves to bottles of water out of the fridge, free of charge. Then she started passing generous samples of cider over the counter, all of which were delicious.
Although we'd had no plans to buy anything, we were so charmed by the place and Michelle that we ended up taking home a growler of the red grape cider. We couldn't stay to drink it there, but we passed a few other customers lounging in chairs on the sidewalk enjoying their cider under umbrellas.
This is what it's about, people! Local businesses who create quality product and practice amazing customer service, face to face. Go for the novelty, stay for the cider.