Visited Lehman's Hardware today...

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

And I have to say I was disappointed. After years of drooling over their catalog and website, I found it to be over-commercialized and overpriced. People were being dropped off by the busloads so it has grown into a huge tourist attraction.

I pictured it this way: a store filled with products that the Amish use on a daily basis, and items that we can't find at our local Walmart. Well, they did have many unique items - a whole room filled with different kerosene lamps and pieces parts (that was really cool) but VERY expensive; hand egg beaters like Grandma used to have, and a much wider variety of axes and different hand tools. But, they also had alot of normal stuff - pressure canners, canning pots, jars, etc that were way overpriced.

I did love their appliance room though - they had some very cool stoves that were made out of, not sure - cast iron/enamel maybe that looked really old but were very new. In the $5-8,000 range. Also had refrigerators with wood overlay that would fit very nicely in a log cabin-type home. Fun to look at but the average person couldn't afford them.

I did buy a pair of Sloggers boots ($32) because I love my clogs but they keep getting sucked into the mudpit that I call a garden. Also misc stuff - brushes to clean the meat grinder, canning tongs and funnel, and cast iron cookware conditioner (because I'm inept and my pans keep rusting).

All in all, Mom and I had a nice trip but next time we'll go further south (Charm/Millersburg area). Kidron wasn't all it's cracked up to be (although a vacation day used anywhere is always a good day

)

 

[English Chick]

ahhhhh does sound an interesting store.... but like everything else that becomes "popular" it prices itself out of the window!

 

[Mahonri]

I'll never forget the few weeks I spent in Amish Country around Rome, OH... just north of Ashland. Great folks.... but a little too superstitious for me back then.

Sometimes I wish I could go back and live with them... and take care of their chickens. Weird fantasy huh?

 

[Stumpy]

I've always thought their prices (from what I could see on the website) were outrageous! I can't imagine an Amish farming family being able to afford their stuff.

 

[lalaland]

I use their catalog as a jumping off point - f ind something I want and then do a web search for it, ALWAYS have found it for much much less.

Sounds like a fun day trip, though!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

It was a fun trip! We didn't see one Amish/Mennonite person shopping there and doubt they ever would. We did see several farms with teams of horses threshing wheat in the fields. That was cool to see. Mom was surprised at how big and prosperous their property seemed for "just being farmers". I told her that they do things right: grow their own grain & vegetables, raise their own meat/eggs, and I'm sure there's more than one family living together in those huge old farm houses. They all share and work together. No electric or gas bill, probably well water, and just the cost for propane and other minor incidentals. I'm very envious (although I know they work really hard!)

 

[Bridget399]

I don't know how far you are from Pittsburgh, but I am about an hour from the Amish where I live (about 45 min. south east of Pgh.). I love to go shopping at their Greenhouses in the spring. My MIL and I make a special trip to Somerset & Berlin every year.
When you get close, you have to really watch the road, they are everywhere driving their buggies! I highly recommend it, if your into gardening! You have to go before Mother's Day or everything is picked over. The greenhouse we go to is called Hidden Valley.
I have NEVER gotten produce from any one else that has compared to theirs. They also have many unique varieties of perinnels (sp).

 

[valmom]

We just went on a small vacation to the Lancaster PA area Amish towns. My SO kept saying "look- get a picture of that buggy! I can't believe it!"

The farms are so pristine and lovely and self-sufficient, but they work hard at them. Compared to the New England working farms they are amazing. The land around there is just gorgeous. I think, though, that the conditions of their farms are due to their religion sort of like the Shaker creed: Hands to work, hearts to God.

(I love the Lehman's catalog!)

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I'm about 3 hours from Pittsburgh and probably close to two hours from Berlin. That's where mom and I decided we're going next trip - Berlin/Charm/Millersburg/Sugar Creek area. Mt Hope has a poultry auction every Wednesday I believe and I really want to check that out too.

It was pretty scaring driving on those twisty roads at 55 mph. I had people flying past me and just prayed that there wouldn't be any buggies in front of me when I got to the top of the hill. I can totally see why so many Amish are killed in accidents and I wish motorists would be more careful and respectful.

Yes, pristine is a great word to describe the beauty of their farms. I only wish my yard could look that good!

 

[Rosalind]

very cool stoves that were made out of, not sure - cast iron/enamel maybe that looked really old but were very new. In the $5-8,000 range.

I paid $3300, installed, for my Vermont Castings Resolute Acclaim in Biscuit enamel. That was with new tile around the hearth, new flue and new chimney cap installed in an existing fireplace. $8000 seems like a lot, even if you're getting a large catalytic stove with all the bells and whistles. Even for a cookstove, eek.​