More on Amish Businesses: Bulk Food Stores

My last two posts have highlighted Amish businesses since many people are looking at ways to earn extra income. Amish women to me are extraordinary because they have savvy business skills, either running their own small shops or record keeping for the family business.

Today I’m so excited to share with you about my friend, "Katie".  She has two greenhouses, which I’ll showcase in the spring and summer. Her husband built a bulk goods store across the street from their house for a source of income. When they married, he didn't want to take Katie away from her large family she loves so dearly. 

So along with Katie's two greenhouses and the store, they make a living. The dry goods store is only a year old but as you can see from the pictures, well stocked. The couple agonize over getting the best prices so they can pass the savings on to their Amish friends. It’s open to the public though, and their customers travel far to stock up, since their prices are one-fifth the cost of what is charged in stores. I really admire how they could be charging so much more, but don’t. They know most Amish families are large, and live off of approximately $35,000 a year.



Katie's antique cash register

On the back wall is canned goods and boxed cereal. Every nook and cranny is used.

 Many hours are spent measuring and "bagging up" dry goods.

Notice the men's Amish hats for sale at top of picture

Katie's greenhouses in winter.

The store is next to the barn where they keep their carriages and horses.