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.

Inside an Amish Herb Shop...Business Run the Amish Way

Something common among the Amish that’s misunderstood is their use of natural remedies. Tales abound that make them look uneducated or superstitious. I hope this post will help you see their back to nature approach to medicine  and another business run the Amish way. (Last post is about Granny's quilt shop).

Dan Byler has an herb shop in Smicksburg, PA, that draws customers from over an hour away. Why? Well, Dan is Amish and doesn't believe in charging more than what's fair. He also makes many of the herbal tinctures himself, keeping prices down. He sells popular lines of products too. I took a friend up to his shop and she pulled bottles off his shelves, hand on her hip in a huff. She held up a bottle and said, "My chiropractor charges 50 bucks for this!" Dan sells it for $20.00. So people are willing to pay the gas money, saying they save in the long run.

Dan is also very knowledgeable. He takes classes from English naturopaths. I love asking him a question just to see his keen mind at work. He goes into medical terms and anatomy as he leans over his counter, as animated as Doc from Back to the Future. I went up once to ask him about the pain shooting from my wrists. I suspected Carpal Tunnel Synrome, but he shook his head vigorously and ran over to the next room and pulled a mineral supplement off the counter. "You lack this," he said, putting the bottle in my face. "Take this and in two days your pain will be gone." Well, I did and the pain left.  My body obviously lacked this nutrient.

You see, the Amish believe God created the body to work properly if fed right. If God made our bodies, He expects us to take care of them and that includes proper nutrition. Organic foods are something they have naturally since many raise their own food and free range meat. Dan believes our foods are lacking nutrients and we need to get back to nature.

Dan's herbal tinctures

Dan makes a living in his tiny store. If several people are in it, it’s crowded. His excellent customer service makes you want to go back. (I pay half the normal retail price for my hyssop, a natural blood purifier, and if I return my little bottle, he’ll refill it for a discount.) Dan employs many of his grandchildren, teaching them all he knows. The Amish try to keep a business in the family, so you see three generations working side by side a lot. It's a good example of business run the Amish way.

                                         Every nook and cranny is filled with merchandise                       

Amish Women Entrepreneurs; Inside Granny’s Quilt Shop

The new year brings in new thoughts, and many think of starting a small business. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing about Amish women who run businesses by doing things they love and how they succeed by treating their customers with respect.

I’ll start with Granny’s Quilt Shop, started by “Granny Weaver”. In my book, Knit Together: An Amish Close Knit Novel, you’ll see how Granny has a quilt shop. Well, I didn’t use my imagination at all; I used Granny’s real shop. Her son Roman built a shop next to her little dawdyhaus. It’s only the size of an enclosed porch, but filled with quality quilts, crocheted rugs, baskets, dolls, aprons and more that the whole extended family make, from children to the elderly.

What really impresses me about Granny’s store is that her prices are extremely low. I’ve noticed this in other Amish businesses. They come to a price they’re satisfied with and simply charge that amount. When I tell them they could get double, they don’t seem impressed. What I see are artisans who love doing their craft so much they feel that’s worth more than money. The Amish also don’t believe in overpricing their items either. If they get a good price for craft supplies, they pass on the savings.

The Amish I know aren't opposed to letting the English sell their items on consignment. Our online family business is looking into selling many of their items. They also aren't opposed to making things that they'd never use themselves.  I'm taking up measurements this week for PCs and Kindles so they can start making quilted covers for both. Super entrepreneural women.

Below are some pictures from Granny’s store with its many items. Maybe it will give you some ideas on starting your own small business.

Quilted wall hangings, placemats  and pot holders.

Over thirty quilts are on one bed in the store to save space. Amish women flip them over like

turning the pages in a  book.

Cross-stitch up close. Very even stitches.

Very unique pattern.

Amish women see what's marketable and make it. They know all about Vera Bradley.

I carry one of their purses, calling it my "Vera Miller". Extra-large purses are $20.00.

One of the ladies has a loom and weaves rag rugs.

This is one square on a quilt embellished with cross-stitch and straight stitch. 

The kids make cards to sell for extra money.

A crocheted rag rug.

Two of my many Amish baskets from Granny's store.

An Amish doll dressed in a "fancy" print dress. For some reason, they're more marketable, so the Amish make what customers want. I prefer traditional clothes, but couldn't pass this one up! She sits on my bed.

An apron my daughter bought from Granny for Mother's Day years ago.

 I hang it up in my kitchen, which is now teal to match the apron ;)

Amish Second Christmas and the Value of Friendships

Today, December 26^th, is Amish Second Christmas. When I first heard of this extra day of celebrating, I thought it was a day to recoup from having so many guests on Christmas Day. I imagined the Amish taking a day to just sleep and relax. But the Amish live very intentionally, and this Second Christmas is spent on something Outsiders would find surprising: going out with their “Amish Gang”.

Yes, I used Amish and gang in the same sentence, which seems like an oxymoron.  We think of gangs in a negative way, but think back to when you were a kid and you hung around with a neighborhood gang. That’s exactly what the Amish encourage their youth to do…form lasting friendships. Since many go to the same one-room schoolhouse, they have friends since childhood. But during the teen years, Amish youth are encouraged to get together all the more. Rumspringa actually means “running around” and it’s a misconception that they through off their Amish ways during this time. On the contrary, they strengthen them in forming bonds that will last a life-time, called Buddy Gangs.

So, the day after Christmas Day, these long-time friends get together. It’s a day to celebrate their friendship. I find this so heartwarming in a culture where “time is money”. The Amish are saying “time is friendship”.  The Amish find instruction to intentionally nurture friendships from the Bible.  With such verses as:

 A man who has friends must himself be friendly. (Proverbs 18:24a NKJV)

 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. (Proverbs 27:9 NKJV)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

As I sit her, recouping from Christmas, I’m thinking how I can intentionally nurture friendships. The Amish always give me more to think about…

I wrote this little book to explain Amish customs around Christmas and share what I learned on toning down the Christmas chaos. 

Having a Peace Filled Christmas "Amish" Style

Hi Friends,

My past two posts talk about my visit to Lydia, my Amish friend, which helped me change my perspective on Christmas. It really is all about getting together with loved ones and having fun. I shared how the Amish celebrate Christmas over several days, ending on January 6th, Old Christmas.

I'd have to say this has been the most stress free Christmas I've ever had. I've only made one cookie. Pizzelles. You're denying your Italian heritage if you don't make them ;) So, I made a batch and my daughter and I pressed them on her birthday, December 20th. We now plan to make this a birthday/Christmas tradition, something I always felt wrong about doing. Can't mix the two celebrations because Christin won't feel special. Crack...my perfectionism is breaking. My birthday's on Old Christmas, January 6th, so the family's having one birthday party for us both over the next two weeks. No date yet. Doesn't matter because it's not about the perfect meal, setting etc. it's all about getting together and having fun.

I have to say that it was painful though when my husband said he wasn't making nutrolls until January 6th. He sent an email around work that the Amish celebrate Old Christmas and he was too busy to make his mouthwatering nutrolls. It was a tradition that he makes one for all his co-workers. I cringed when he told me. My mom taught him how to make this Croatian desert step-by-step and only he knows how to make them. I've never had a Christmas without nutrolls. I immediately thought of calling a bakery...CRACK! My perfectionism is falling to pieces. No nutrolls until January 6th?

So it's two days until Christmas and only pizzelles have been made, but I'm not stressed out. But as I reflect over the past two weeks, there's something I did that I've always wanted to do, but never did, because it would just kill my Christmas schedule....read a Christmas novel! So, I read Christmas Mail-Order Brides, a wonderful collection of stories, all focusing on the real meaning of Christmas.

Is there something you secretly wish you had time to do, but your holiday schedule is dictating your every move? Think about it? Is that living a simple life? To be bullied by the "Tyranny of the Urgent"? I'm finding much more peace saying no to self-imposed or society-imposed rules. Yes, my visit to Lydia's and learning about how the Amish celebrate Christmas has been life changing....my perfectionism is breaking...for good!

My Journey Toward a Peace Filled "Amish" Christmas

Hi friends,

My last post, Do the Amish Celebrate Christmas?, where I keep hearing from my Amish friend, Lydia, that they "just spend time together and have fun", will be helpful to read before you read this post.

I believe God is a hands-on teacher. Right after I wrote the last post, I went to my doctors for a lingering cold. He ends up putting me in the hospital for possible pneumonia for three days. My first reaction was...I'm not going....it's only two weeks until Christmas...my perfect Christmas! Sorry, too much to do, and my husband and I are going to the Nutcracker ballet tomorrow. No!

Well, my husband took me to the hospital, saying to rest! I loaded my tote with my Thomas Kinkade Christmas cards and some knitting (not done making scarves for presents). Then I thought of what I just posted here...about what I learned from Lydia about Christmas, and to spend time together having fun.

So, I rested for three days, never wrote out one card, knit maybe 10 rows, and that's it. I came home to a house that doesn't have one decoration up, and it's only eleven days until Christmas. I can't run around decorating the house because I'm too tired on all the meds my doc put me on. But, I somehow feel like I'm being set free from perfectionism and it feels wonderful.

But I have to make pizzelles, an Italian cookie passed down through the generations. My sisters and daughters are talking about a "cookie frolic". How Amish is that? Combining work with fellowship?

As for not going to the Nutcracker...my romantic Christmas time with hubby...still working on that one. I collect nutcrackers and always say, "Christmas is the Nutcracker". Well, maybe some sacred cows have to be tipped over. Christmas is Jesus...all about Him coming to bring "Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward men".  With a shift of perspective, I'm starting to feel more peace.

Please feel free to leave comment about how you're simplifying your Christmas. We can all learn from each other!

Above is a picture taken in Riccia, Italy, where my grandparents grew up and many of my cousins still live. Outdoor live nativity sets are common. Somehow it gives me peace and makes remember the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Blessings to you!  

Do the Amish celebrate Christmas?

Having just written the Christmas volumes of Amish Knitting Circle, I'm reflecting on all I’ve learned from my Amish friend about how they really celebrate Christmas. I don't think I'll be the same! I'll put up my tree and decorations, but something has really broken in me...the need to be perfect on Christmas.

What do I mean by that? Well, I need to get those perfect gifts so people will feel loved, right? I need to get that perfect Christmas sweater from Christopher & Banks!  I need to make my perfect cookies in my perfectly clean house, right? And of all things, I need to have all my kids with spouses come to my perfect orb for half the day or they won't have a holly, jolly Christmas, right?

When I sat with pen in hand, ready to take down notes as Lydia explained to me how she celebrates Christmas, she just kept repeating herself no matter how I asked the question. "We just spend time together and have fun." No candles in the window? No greenery? Any special games? "We just spend time together and have fun." Any special cookies you bake? "We make cookies all year. We just spend time together and have fun." I leaned forward, "BUT, you have to have a favorite Christmas cookie, RIGHT???" She leaned back and said...no.

In shock, I moved on to the dates I knew they celebrated Christmas: Christmas Eve, First Christmas, Second Christmas and Old Christmas.

I asked about the children’s play at the one-room schoolhouse on Christmas Eve. What is it like? "Oh, well, we don't always have it on Christmas Eve. It may be three days before Christmas." I almost fainted. I thought of little Hannah and Eli in their little Amish clothes not understanding what "Eve" meant. The night before? So I asked her if the kids minded changing the date every year, and she gently leaned toward me with a look of concern, thinking I'm neurotic. "Now, why would that matter for?" She tries to calm me down...

On to Christmas Day, or First and Second Christmas as the Amish call them, Dec. 25th and 26th. Any traditional meals? Please, tell me you have this! "We just spend time together and have fun." How about Second Christmas, is there something special you do? "We just spend time together....."

Maybe I just needed to hear it ten times to hear what she said. To the Amish, once again, nothing is more important than spending time together and enjoying each other company. 

I asked her about her favorite Christmas memory as a child. Her eyes lit up and she said she got a doll once. She could describe that doll in vivid detail. Then she went on to tell of her brothers’ presents, plastic animals that she then went on to describe, clapping her hands as she recalled their happy expressions.  But she added, "Aw, we had so much fun spending time together..."

As I’m still in shock, I thought maybe they're more into their German roots, and celebrate on January 6th, which they call Old Christmas. She must be saving this day to tell me all their holiday traditions. She only said, "Nothing special....we just spend time together...seriously."

To be honest, I'm still taking it all in and I started this research on Amish holiday’s months ago. But I think it’s helped my two sisters and me change our view of the holidays. We now have First and Second Thanksgiving! I didn't have 20+ people at my perfectly clean house with that just perfect turkey, and then half-way through the meal feel the need to drop dead. No, I saw my sisters the next day and we even talked about going to see a movie, but ended up ... spending time together just having fun!

Who knows what changes we'll make for Christmas? I just hope we can simply spend time together and have fun, no matter what day we actually celebrate the holiday.