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Explore Ohio // Wayne County

July 3, 2017 by Rachel 27 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links

Confession: I grew up in Amish country.

Okay, so many of you may already know that about me; but some of you may not know what exactly that means. It means that our high school consisted of students from 3 different towns coming together to attend school (but still only graduating with 83 people); it means that we had “drive your tractor to school day;” it means my best friend in elementary school was amish — and, yes, I’ve ridden in a buggy several times; oh — and it means that my hometown doesn’t even have so much as a flashing yellow light, let alone a stoplight!

So when I was recently asked to visit Wayne County, Ohio — also considered amish country AND home of the Ohio Light Opera — I was intrigued, but skeptical. I mean, how could amish country impress a little country bumpkin like me!? 😛

But guys. Wayne County changed me. Well, that may be a tad bit dramatic; but I seriously never would have or could have imagined that this place just an hour from my home in Akron, could be so amazing!

We started our grand tour of greater Wayne County by heading out to Lehman’s Hardware Store. My friend kerry had mentioned that I would love Lehman’s. But neither her nor their slogan of “for a simpler life,” didn’t convince me.

But approximately 3 minutes into our trip into the amazingness that is Lehman’s, I was sold. SOLD, ya’ll! I mean, it didn’t hurt that this place was comprised of so many of both mine and Chad’s favorite things — we just didn’t realize that this constituted “homesteading”!

Rain barrels, compost bins, old-fashioned push-mowers, cast-iron skillets, and wood-burning stoves — you name it! In fact, the other girls on the trip were surprised by how much of what they offer we already incorporate into our daily lives. I suppose we’re semi-homesteaders of some sort?? Who knew!?

Our next stop was Quince Bakery and Café. I can honestly say that never did I expect some of the finest bread and baked goods to come from a tiny bakery in Wayne County, Ohio! I mean, I find myself to be a bit of a baked-goods snob. In fact, my husband and friends tend to poke fun at me for being the kind of person that simply must buy and taste all of the baked goods, but only to hoard them. Is there a “Hoarders: Baked Goods Edition”??!! I kid!

I. am. in love with the food from this tiny bakery — and thrilled to find out that she travels to Akron for the Countryside Conservancy Market in Highland Square every Thursday! Hooray!

And somehow I convinced her to let me buy some of the amazingly soft and fluffy focaccia bread she was saving for the market! I could eat only this bread for the rest of my life, ya’ll! Seriously.

Next up was a quick stop by Shisler’s Cheese House. Shisler’s is a teeny, hole-in-the-wall, kinda place, with delicious, soft, swiss cheese on the counter for patrons to try. It was delicious and this family-owned business (for THREE generations!) had such an awesome vibe!

Believe it or not, there was still time (and room!) for more baked goods! That’s right — we stopped by the Dutch Kitchen Bakery, a mennonite and amish bakery in the heart of Wayne County, for a tour of the bakery (ya’ll those mixers were HUGE!).

The manager told us that an old Amish woman comes in every morning (sometimes at 3am!) to make all of the dough for the pies and fry pies — every single day!! PS. We had a strawberry rhubarb fry pie and bumbleberry fry pie. They did not disappoint. 😉

And, I mean, look at the size of this donut!! Crazypants!!

Our next stop was a place I’d been meaning to visit for a very long time — the J.M. Smucker Company Store + Café. Little known fact that our great state of Ohio is home to the Smucker’s corporation — which is actually headquarters to Jif, Pillsbury, Crisco, Dickinson’s, Hungry Jack, Santa Cruz Organics, Folgers, and Dunkin Donuts, to name a few!

I was in shopping heaven! We may or may not have bought a plethora of jams and juices to bring home (I mean, when in Rome, Wayne County, right?!).

We rounded out or day in Wayne, County with a trip to the Pine Tree Barn. The Pine Tree Barn restaurant, the Granary, which is only open for lunch, features amazing house-made salads, entrees, and desserts.

The food and desserts were amazing! And so was the infused iced tea. OMG we drank so much of that, it’s ridiculous. And after our lunch we wandered through the old barn, which acts as a furniture and furnishings store.

I also told my husband that we MUST come back during the holidays for a carriage ride and to cut down our own Christmas tree!

Chad and I have already discussed our next trip to Wayne County! Another trip to Lehman’s and Quince are definitely in order — soon! Thankfully, we’re only an hour away from this delightful place! I hope that you’ll consider visiting Wayne County, Ohio for your next weekend getaway!

 

 

Thank you to the Wayne County CVB for sponsoring this trip! As always, all opinions herein are my own. #DoWoo

Filed Under: Akron, bloggers, cleveland, desserts, domesticity, Explore Ohio, green, life, living sustainably, Ohio, shop local, travel Tagged With: akron, being green, cleveland, desserts, explore locally, explore Ohio, family, food, foodie, life, ohio, shop local, sustainable living, travel

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harmony, Momma To Go

    July 3, 2017 at 7:18 am

    wow i had no idea there is amish country in Ohio. A popular thing to do around here is visit the amish country in PA. I have never been. All that food looks so good! I could go for a giant donut right now…

    Reply
  2. Rachel G

    July 3, 2017 at 7:32 am

    Ooh, looks like some real tasty food! When I lived in Kentucky, we lived in a small town near some Amish communities, it was a regular sight to see horses and buggies hitched up at the Save-a-Lot where my mom would shop for groceries.

    Reply
  3. Theresa

    July 3, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Amish country is so fun to explore! It looks like you had a great time.

    Reply
  4. Vashti

    July 3, 2017 at 11:05 am

    I’m from Houston and I want to visit Amish country my mom recently went on a long road trip up north and they saw Amish country [not sure what area] and she was so intrigued. Will definitely have to mention Ohio to her and see if she wants to make the trip.

    Reply
  5. Victoria with One Sharp Mama

    July 3, 2017 at 11:40 am

    That looks like you had a good time! Growing up there had to be fun. A little different for sure, but, fun none the less!

    Reply
  6. Virjinia Harp

    July 3, 2017 at 12:15 pm

    That looks absolutely amazing! All the baked goods and all the cool Amish history. Plus, that donut is EPIC!

    Reply
  7. Brittany

    July 3, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I grew up right on the edge of Wayne, Clermont, and Clinton counties! It’s good to see a few familiar places in your list. Miller’s Bakery in Adams county is my favorite though. I feel like I’m going to need to plan a trip to Wayne county soon!

    Reply
  8. Kelly

    July 3, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    Can we come with you next time??? This looks like a dream. And those donuts!??! Come on!! Love the idea of coming back to cut down your own Christmas Tree <3

    Reply
  9. Jordyn Galan

    July 3, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    Wow this looks amazing! all the wonderful homemade foods! I love that kind of stuff!

    Reply
  10. Sarah Althouse

    July 3, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    My husband grew up in in Amish country PA!! It’s so fun to learn about the community.

    Reply
  11. Stefanie

    July 3, 2017 at 8:59 pm

    What a fun visit! My grandpa lived right near Smucker’s!

    Reply
  12. Nancy at Miles For Family

    July 3, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    Looks like a cute town and a great trip!

    Reply
  13. Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries

    July 4, 2017 at 1:20 am

    How fun! I’m from Ohio and didn’t even know about this. I used to love visiting Amish country when I grew up in Indiana!

    Reply
  14. Amanda

    July 4, 2017 at 4:18 am

    I thought you were talking about the Lancaster PA Amish country, but you’ve introduced me to another! Smuckers, too….yum! Looks like a great time!

    Reply
  15. Christina Shoemaker

    July 4, 2017 at 10:42 am

    I had no idea Smuckers was from there! I’d love to visit and eat everything!!!

    Reply
  16. Stacey

    July 4, 2017 at 11:03 am

    You never know what’s right around the corner! I live in FL and there is an Amish community 2 hours away from my hometown. My parents make the drive to Sarasota just to go to their restaurant and bakeries, my mom swears their goodies are the best! I’m going to show her this post, I bet she’ll want to plan a trip to Wayne County just for the giant donut!

    Reply
  17. Anna

    July 4, 2017 at 11:27 am

    I always wanted to places like this. I know the closest to us is in Tennessee . Amish cooking is awesome , great post by the way . Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  18. April

    July 4, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    Looks nice and interesting place to be. I love Snickers!

    Reply
  19. Anna

    July 4, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    What a fun trip! That cheese looks so yummy and how cool to check out Smuckers! I love Smuckers!

    Reply
  20. Kristen

    July 4, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    This looks like so much fun, and my kind of place! I love ‘old time’ shops and bakeries and small town charm!

    Reply
  21. Heydy

    July 5, 2017 at 11:33 am

    I love learning about you and where you came from!!!

    Reply
  22. Ashley J. | @PostModernIndigenous

    July 5, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    So cool. I’m a big fan of cultural exchange and live for opportunities to live like and among people from different backgrounds and places.

    Reply
  23. brittany ashmore

    July 5, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    Oh my gosh how did I not know that! You rode a tractor to school! This is awesome!

    Reply
  24. Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com

    July 6, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    This looks like such an amazing day trip – & I’ve long been dying to go to the Smucker’s headquarters!

    Reply
  25. Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy

    July 7, 2017 at 7:03 am

    That looks like such a great trip! And that donut!! Huge! 🙂

    Reply
  26. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen

    July 7, 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Oh wow! What a fun time. The food looks wonderful, especially the cheese! I would love it if my family could visit for a day. 🙂

    Reply
  27. Jessica

    July 7, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    This is absolutely fascinating! My family has always wanted to visit! I am so happy to come across this and learn more!

    Reply

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