Real Amish Stores in Ohio-want locations

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Vacationing in Ohio this summer. Would like to locate some stores which are not set up for tourist. Any info.?

-- Ann (annhow331@hotmail.com), January 21, 2001

Answers

Lehman's is the first that comes to my mind - I have ordered from them frequently, and will be heading out that way next winter (got a wedding in IL, and we'll be driving by there en route). When I spoke with the lady at the 800#, she was kind enough to send me an info packet about the area with my order. The company has 2 stores - one in Kidron, OH and the other in Mt. Hope, OH. Their # is 1-888-438-5346. On Thursdays, the Kidron store is open late, and there is a flea market nearby - the locals sell livestock and other goods, and according to the rep at Lehman's, it can be quite a gathering! I for one cannot wait! (Hubby can - he thinks I'll be bringing home critters :-)).

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), January 22, 2001.

I believe that the livestock auction at Mt. Hope is on Thursday. The Mt. Hope store is alot smaller than the one at Kidron. At any of the main tourist places you can get a map of the main section of Amish country. Most of the maps are free. I would suggest that you go during the week instead of on a weekend. It is packed on the weekends during the summer. Also take some back roads--get off the beaten path. That's where you'll see the real Amish country. My husband and I went up a few years ago and just started driving. Finally ended up on a gravel road where we found the best little store. The lights were gas lights. There was a little of everything, like a small general store--towels, tools, cooking utensils, etc. I've never seen so much stainless steel in my life. I found a french bread pan there exactly like the one I had just purchased for 25.00. It was 7.99. I believe the name of the store is Hershmans. Of course they have no phone, but they do have a mail order catalog. If you go down the backroads you don't see any electric or telephone poles. Many of the Amish have their owm businesses at their homes with signs out by the road. I stopped last summer at a farm that sold spelt flour--best flour that I've ever used , made great bread. I'm going back this spring for more. There are many bulk food stores there, but my favorite is on the way to Mt. Hope. The name of it is Ashery Country store. It is almost always crowded, but the stuff is cheap and good. I have a brochure on this somewhere. Let me know if you need more details.

-- Marianne (mkoonrn@yahoo.com), January 23, 2001.

Thank you Marianne for the information. I have been to the Lehman store before and think it is really great. I have been to the Ohio Amish country before and have looked for the Hershmans store but did not find it. Does anyone out there know more detailed directions? I also looked for the Troyers general store and failed there also. Did take some backroads and saw some beautiful country.

-- Ann (annhow331@hotmail.com), January 23, 2001.

Call 1-800-BUCKEYE and ask for info on the Amish community.

You might want to check out http://www.amish-heartland.com/categories.htm http://www.gpubs.com/oac/index.htm http://www.ohioamish.com/

These are more tourist orietned, but can point you to some good sources.

There are several counties where amish are active. The larges communites are Homes, Tuscarawas, Wayne in the NE ohio, Small Community in Knox county North Central ohio and anther small commmunit in and around Plane city (West central)

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), January 23, 2001.


Hi Ann, I live in the middle of Amish country in Northeast Ohio. The name to look up on the map would be Mesopotamia. Here you will find several Amish stores-all owned by Amish in the area. A great bed and breakfast is the Old Stone House on rt. 534. It's a lovely place to stay and the owner will advice you on several places to shop. One great shop is on st. rt. 528 called Hershbergers, there are many others all on back roads. Visit the cheese houses too, they are wonderful. If you would like you could stop in to see my farm. Just e-mail me, and we could make arrange

-- Carolann (bli_mil38@hotmail.com), January 23, 2001.


Thanks to everyone for all of the information. This has given me somewhere to start. I appreciate it very much. If anyone else has anymore ideas I'll be happy to receive those too. Thanks again. Ann

-- Ann (annhow331@hotmail.com), January 23, 2001.

Depending how far south in Ohio you'll be, there is a small Amish community in Adams County, in the southwest part of the state. There are several stores, bakeries, furniture shops nestled in beautiful rolling farmlands. A great place to visit and not quite so touristy! You can probably find some info by writing to the county of West Union. Hope you enjoy our state!

-- Karen Braun (jbraun@one.net), January 26, 2001.

on rt32 in seaman ohio adams co is the Keim market half the store is tourist goods and the other side is bulk food goods prices seemed reasonable and there was a wide variety. we stop there on our way to the Big! flea market that the poultry asociation holds in Lucasville ,believe me if it aint there you dont need or want it lol

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), January 27, 2001.

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