To travel from Cape Cod to Amish country in Lancaster County, Pa., is roughly a six-hour trip.
Cape Cod to Athol is roughly a two-hour trip.
Amish Country Crafts owners Mindy Powling and Lorrie Bernard say that’s why a man who lives close to Cape Cod recently drove to their store at 990 South Main St. in Athol, instead of taking the long drive to Pennsylvania.
The man wanted Kitchen Kettle Village products (which include homemade Pennsylvania Dutch items such as jelly, jam, pies, cookies, relish, salsa and pickles) and had learned that their store, near the Orange town line, is the only one in Massachusetts that sells Kitchen Kettle.
He bought six to eight jars.
Powling and Bernard said his story isn’t unusual — people come from all over to find a bit of Amish country in the North Quabbin area.
The store opened for business in June 2015, and it has thrived. More than half the products they sell are Amish-made.
“They’re very well made,” Powling said in the three rooms of crafts she fondly describes as primitive.
The building once housed an apartment, until the tenant moved out last year. Bernard said the timing was perfect because she, Powling and a previous partner wanted to open their own store. They had started by selling items at craft fairs.
The business carries an apartment feel, with trinkets lining the counter and stovetop of the old kitchen.
The store’s inventory includes signs and wall decor, furniture, timer candles and purses.
It sits in front of Flint’s Garage, which Bernard and her husband, Michael, have owned since July 2000.
Bernard said she developed a love of Amish crafts when she and her husband started vacationing in Pennsylvania 30 years ago.
Powling, who also owns Nailz 2 Envy in Athol, said she admires the craftsmanship of Amish products.
The owners said they stock up on goods at least once a month and drive to Pennsylvania to meet with vendors, because the Amish do not ship.
“When we call in an order, they don’t even take our credit card. They’ll wait till we come down,” Bernard explained. “We pay them when we get there. They’re still on the handshake method — a lot of them.”
Amish Country Crafts is open Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are also open by chance or appointment.
The store will be open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in November and December.
The business has a Facebook page. Or email:
amishcountrycrafts@gmail.com