Over the weekend, we took a trip to see family... and on the way, we went through some Amish country... what fun to see the horses and buggies... and scenery that we are not used to seeing here in the city.
We were headed to the Amish store... I love to go the Amish store or Dutch market once or twice a year, when I can. They are a LONG ways away from us, so I can't go often.
I really appreciate going to the Amish store... I like to stock up on things while I am there since we seldom go.
The man who checks us out greeted us enthusiastically when we entered... he is always so friendly and personable... and we love seeing him and visiting him. It is nice to be remembered each time we visit. :)
We used to buy raw milk from Amish farmers in the area, but haven't for a long time... they are just too far for us to drive. Oh, how we miss that wonderful milk that still has all of the enzymes in it. They sold it at a great price... it is available a little near the city... but the price is too high for me. We saw the Fresh Milk for sale sign in the Amish store... and would have loved to get some, but there was no room because of the trip... and I hadn't brought my gallon glass jars either, so we didn't.
There are so many wonderful bulk foods and supplies to buy, though... and it is hard to zip through this place... it takes time and there is so much to look at.:)
Sometimes it can be hard to see the prices and names on the bottom shelves. The Amish store doesn't have electricity... they do have lots of windows and will light gas lanterns when it is very overcast and darker outside. Still, the light sometimes seems too faint for my eyes to decipher the small prices and names since I am so used to electric lights. :) When I visited a different Amish store and had even more trouble seeing some items, I asked the man if he would be offended if I used a flashlight in there... he laughed and said he wouldn't be offended. I have never needed to use one since then, but it is nice to know I could if it was needed. :)
Some items are constant-they always have them... others come and go... like certain herbs or bulk teas or garden seeds. This year they had added a greenhouse and had plants... but with our trip and not much room in the vehicle, I didn't buy any. That was hard... especially since all of the plants were 10% off for the holiday. :)
I have found blackstrap molasses at a good price here and I was so glad to be able to get it here again - I have still been buying it, but have been spending a bit more at the health food store.
I also love to buy some of their bulk herbs to keep my supply up. Many times, I buy 50 pound bags of flour and oats, but we had no room on this trip.
The Mennonite store is similar to the Amish store... they are similar and yet different... and there are certain things I like to get at one... and other things at the other. The Amish store is cheaper on the bulk herb and spice items... and some other things. The Mennonite store has some mainstream grocery items that are reduced... I love to get jams there... and usually spend about $1.25/jar... even for the fruit only or low-sugar ones. They also have the mainstream brands which I will buy sometimes. I like to buy granola bars here... also boxed teas... and more. I do have to be careful to check the dates on the packaged items at this store as the reduced groceries can be out of date. I will use some items out of date, but certain items need to be in date for me to buy them. I also like the containers used for the bulk herb and spice section at the Mennonite store better... the containers are sturdier and better for being re-used.
This aisle is the favorite one for my husband. :) It is his favorite in BOTH of the stores! :)
Shopping at these stores is helpful for keeping our budget low... and I love to get yogurt there... this time, they were out. I was shocked at how full and busy the stores were this weekend... and I hope I never go on a Saturday again! :)
Do you shop at Amish or Mennonite stores in your area? Do you find them to be helpful for you? I hope you have a great week.... thank you for visiting my blog today. :)
You may also enjoy this post:
10 Tips For Shopping At Amish or Mennonite Stores
#Amish #herbs #savemoney #country #TipsForShoppingAmishStores
We have a lot of Amish people who live in and around our area, so we're able to enjoy trips to their stores on a regular basis. I'm like you though and comparison shop, because some things are very reasonably priced, while some will give you sticker shock. :) We have some Mennonite's who live in our area too, but not as many. They have a restaurant about 45 minutes from us that my husband and I love to go to occasionally. It sits right on the edge of a lake, and has large bay windows that look out on the lake, so you can enjoy the view as you eat, and even has an outdoor deck if you prefer that atmosphere. It has a store too, but their prices are pretty high, so I never shop there. And a funny thing, my husband always goes straight for the candy isle too! lol Have a great week Joy.
ReplyDeleteHow funny that both of our husbands love that candy aisle!!! :) I can imagine that if I lived closer to the Amish store, I would go much more often... and wouldn't buy as much at a time. Some of their items really are expensive, but I figure they are making a living too... I just am not going to pay the higher price. What a blessing to have options of different stores. Thank you for visiting.... I hope you have a wonderful week. :)
DeleteThat store looks like heaven to me! We live in a small rural town in Australia and only have the basic supermarket. There are no bulk stores at all near here. I would love to go to this store and to Amish country in general.
ReplyDeleteIt truly is a blessing... and I am so sorry that you have no access to such. Maybe someone will put some kind of bulk market in at some point where you are... and whether Amish or not, it would be helpful. I do enjoy going to the Amish store... and the Dutch market...
DeleteIt was so much fun to go again! <3
ReplyDeleteIt sure was... especially since this one was an unplanned trip.... and what a joy to be able to fit everything inside the vehicle on the way home. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely post, I am so happy t have found you.
ReplyDeleteFondly Michelle
Welcome... I am so glad you found my blog also... thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteIt would take me a long time to get through the store! It sounds like there were quite a few bulk gems there. Although shopping with no light would different. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at Tuesday Talk!
It is a wonderful place... such a treasure trove for me... I have to say no to lots of things I would love to buy or I would spend WAY too much money. :)
DeleteWhat a fun trip. I've never been to a store like this. Thank you for stopping by The Maple Hill Hop!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance... it is a great place to shop! :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteWe don't get a chance either however I certainly would if there were some close by. We have Hutterites here who sell at the Farmer's Market and we purchase from them when we can.
ReplyDeleteI am glad we can go once or twice a year... such a help and I would miss it if we couldn't do that.... the farmer's market also sounds good... glad you can go to that. :)
DeleteWe have nothing like this here in Scotland, as far as I know, but I would love to shop there! I suppose some health food shops here would be vaguely similar. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be quite a unique type of place... I do see some similar items at health food stores, but I think the Amish stores are usually cheaper, which I appreciate. I'm sorry you don't have this option, but how nice that God provides for us, wherever we are, in His own way. :)
DeleteI grew up about an hour from Amish country and often drove through on trips to summer vacation. This post brought back some fond memories of those trips!
ReplyDeleteWow, an hour away would be wonderful!!! I'm glad the pictures brought back fond memories. :)
DeleteMy in-laws have a summer place in Western PA and there is a small, but nice Amish store in the area that used to make their own milkbones. My dogs LOVED them, but the Amish lady doesn't make them anymore. The hubby and I would buy whatever they had.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably some recipes on the internet to make them, although I can understand how nice it would have been to have them all made and just buy them. :)
DeleteWe have shopped at an Amish store before but it is not convenient to go there. It's more of a day trip for pleasure. I always enjoy getting their homemade donuts! Yum!!!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Roses of Inspiration blog hop.
That is what we did when we went... it had to be a daytrip for pleasure (100 miles each direction!) but we can't spend the gas money to do that, so now we only do it on trips going through the area. The homemade donuts sound wonderful... our do not have those. :)
DeleteLove this and it reminds me of the blessing I take for granted here in Western KY. We have 2 Amish stores in our town, one that is more of a bulk store like your pictures show here, and one that is a salvage store (lots of dented containers and out-of-date items, but it's still great because I will use a lot of things out-of-date, and they have high-priced organic and natural items that would be cost-prohibitive otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWe live about 15 minutes from one of these stores and about 25 minutes from the other one (they are both out in the country). We can go there every week or 2 with our regular shopping and it's great.
Wow, what a blessing to have BOTH of those stores so close to you!!! I would sure make use of it if they were that close for us. I do like the salvage store...and like you, I find wonderful normally high priced items, like greek yogurt and wonderfully healthy granola bars and others... this time there were out of both though.
DeleteI'm so jealous since we don't have any close by. I would love to take a trip or two to this store. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSarah @ Living Intentionally Simple
They really are a blessing... and maybe asking around would direct you to one not too far... hopefully. :)
DeleteLooks like a great place to visit and to shop at!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs
Debbie
It really is... what a blessing. :)
DeleteI look forward to my trips to the Amish store!
ReplyDeleteThis post would be a perfect addition to the new Our Simple Homestead Hop if you would like to share it with us!
http://oursimplelife-sc.com/our-simple-homestead-hop-1/
I do too.... I just have to plan ahead because I spend more money at a time when I only go once or twice a year. Thank you for visiting.... and I loved coming to your party. :)
DeleteWe LOVE visiting Amish stores! In fact, that's just what we did on Saturday. The one closest to us is about an hours drive. I couldn't wait to get over there & buy some hanging baskets. They have the most huge & beautiful ones at a fraction of the price of other stores. We love their donuts, fresh baked goods, meats & cheeses, spices, and well, I could go on & on. What's not to love?!
ReplyDeleteAn hour away?! That sounds wonderful! I'm so glad you can go there and enjoy all they have to offer... it really is a blessing. I agree... what's not to love? :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThis brings back great memories of when I lived in Lancaster, PA.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish are a wonderful people, reticent in some ways but loyal friends and neighbors.
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/nesting.html
We have enjoyed our interactions with them also... and their work ethic is wonderful. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteThat is so interesting. I had never seen one before. Very cool. I bet all their food and goods are good.
ReplyDeletehttp://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-walk-around-lake-elizabeth.html
I have been so blessed to be able to visit the Amish stores... such a great resource. :)
DeleteHow amazing! I sure wish I had an Amish Store like this near me! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again on Friday! Feel free to bring a friend :)
ReplyDeleteThey are a blessing, that's for sure... just tend to be far away. Thank you for the great blog party... I will look forward to returning. :)
Deletewow that looks such a great place to visit I am hoping to come over from the UK next year so maybe I will get to visit an Amish store then
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to.... depending on where you come to visit, there should be some place you could find one of these stores... they are a real blessing to us. :) Enjoy your trip... :)
DeleteI have not been in an Amish store before. I think there is a small Amish community north of us a few hours, but I don't think we've visited before. That would be something nice to do on a Saturday when we can get up early enough to make the drive comfortably. I would love to see the horse drawn buggies and to photograph some of the quaint surroundings. I know the Amish people don't like to be photographed, though. These people have a sorta quaint lifestyle, but I'm gonna be honest with you it isn't a life for me. I like modern conveniences A LOT! lol Have a fototastic day!
ReplyDeletehttp://curiousasacathy.com/2015/06/elk-sighting-at-cataloochee-ww/
It is interesting... and I sure enjoy the store and seeing the community. I respect their desire not to be photographed... and am very careful... actually, I rarely photograph anyone who hasn't given me permission to do so.... just seems to be an invasion of their privacy and I do want to be respectful. :) Seeing the hard work, the big work horses, the clothes on the lines, the bonnets and dresses, the straw hats and suspenders and more... is interesting even though I am not Amish and have no wish to be. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteI've never been in one, even though we lived in Amish country in Michigan. We just never did find the store, and no one was talking! LOL
ReplyDeleteKathi at Oak Hill Homestead
They are hard to find... you have to talk to the right person as word of mouth seems to be their main advertising. :) That is too bad... I hope you eventually get to be in one.. they are great. :)
DeleteJust wanted to stop by and let you know this was featured this week at the SImple Homestead Hop as the most visited post last week.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Thank you.. .that is a blessing... and a lot of fun. :)
DeleteOooh look at all that bulk! I'm jealous. Thanks for posting. Hello from Our Simple Homestead blog hop.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful place to shop... and the prices on the bulk stuff make it easy for me to try things I haven't tried before. :)
DeleteI live well over 100 miles to an Amish store and now you have me wanting to make that drive. :) Thanks for linking up to the Country Fair Blog Party.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! The price of gas ... and my limited energy.. prevent me from doing that, but it is nice to go when we are headed that way for a trip. :) I used to take the kids on a daytrip to do this... we had a frequent doctor appointment halfway there which is how I justified it. :)
DeleteWhen I lived in Indiana there was a wonderful settlement of Amish up North. Our family loved to go there too. We would marvel at their well kept gardens and beautiful flowers.You never saw a weed anywhere. I loved to shop in there fabric store - I could spend hours checking out all the fabulous finds there. After all our shopping we would head to one of the restaurants for the best food ever !!! Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories. Visiting from TGI Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to an Amish fabric store... THAT sounds wonderful! :) I have been in some of the Amish areas in Indiana... nice and so beautiful. I loved going to the Amish food restaurant and then looking up in the loft at all of the quilts for sale... they were so beautiful. :)
DeleteThey are an amazing people, mostly keeping to themselves, self sustaining, and like you say they take pride in taking care of their gardens. I would love to travel through their community and visit their store.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing on Oh My Heartsie Girls ww this week!!
Hope you have a great day!
Karren
They really are... and there is much I appreciate about them.... and I love their store!!! :)
Deletethat looks like our Amish bulk store!!! I love shopping there as I get really great deals on lots of items. Thanks for adding this to From The Farm...it's one of this week's favorites and will be featured on Friday!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we have shopped in there at the same time? That is a fun thought. :) Thank you for featuring this... what a fun bit of news this morning. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteI loved your post and getting an inside look at the Amish and Mennonite stores. Someday I'd love to go to the area Mennonite Produce Auction. It sounds like quite the event! Stopping by from the Country Fair Blog Party!
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't been to an area Mennonite Produce Auction... that sounds interesting too.... I love going to the Amish and Mennonite stores... they are such a blessing. :)
DeleteWe don't have any Amish communities near us - closest one is 200 miles away. When I lived in Pennsylvania as a child we used to go and it was always so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThat would be hard to have them so far... it is hard enough to get to them when they are 100 miles from us. :)
DeleteWe have many Amish and Mennonite communities around Wisconsin. I have just been to about 10 different greenhouses in our area this spring. They have some great prices. I buy my canning lids in bulk and some grains and flour in 50 lb. bags. Some other items are not as good of a deal. There is a new clothing store that just opened and I bought my two granddaughters really cute hand sewn dresses for under $20 each. I absolutely love spending the day in those areas. So peaceful!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of one of their clothing stores... that would be a good find. You're right... some things at Amish stores are great deals and others not so much, but I find plenty that makes it worth going. Sounds like you have a lot of great places to shop in your area! Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteHow fun! I've been to Amish country a few tines. I've eaten an delicious Amish restaurants, but never been to a store. Didn't know there was such a thing. I would love to shop there! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
The stores are not as well known as mainstream stores, so it can take some asking around, but probably many people in those areas w/ Amish restaurants would know where they are. :) One that we go to is even listed in the Chamber of Commerce places to visit in the area! By the way, I have eaten in an Amish restaurant also... and it was Wonderful! :)
DeleteSo much natural, homegrown goodness. I know it makes you feel good just to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteIt really does... and is so interesting. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThis looks like a wonderful store! I bet the jams and jellies are amazing! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
ReplyDeleteYes, they are... So many great foods there. :)
DeleteIt is always so much fun and educational to shop an Amish bulk food store. We have several in our area in central Wisconsin and I love buying my herbs and baking items, such as flour and sugar from them. They are so much cheaper too. We even purchase fresh eggs from them. What a world of difference. I wish they carried fresh cow's milk, but here they do not. The family that runs one of the stores in this area are so friendly and loving. Not only do they operate a small bulk food store, but the mister of the house has a wood working business. He creates some amazing wood furniture. I certainly admire their family and community unity. Thank you for sharing your informative posting.
ReplyDeleteIt really is educational... and we love driving by the Amish farms to get to the store... it's nice to see the clothes on the lines and the men using horse teams to work the fields. We have found much friendliness also and always enjoy our trips there. Thank you for your kind words... it was nice of you to visit. :)
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