If you’re looking for superior merchandise, you’ll find exceptional handcrafted goods at Amish gift shops in Lancaster County. Although most Amish have traditionally lived on family farms, many have set up shop in woodworking and other areas. Explore in and around Bird-in-Hand and you could go home with heirloom-quality furniture and wooden toys, hand-stitched quilts and housewares, as well as farm-fresh produce, baked goods and more. Visit a few of the businesses here and you’ll soon come to see that there is much more to Pennsylvania Dutch Country than pretty scenery.
Timeless Stitchery
For generations, Amish women have made quilts featuring repeating geometric patterns or medallion-style designs. Some patterns are unique to families or church districts and have been passed down over time. Today, you may also find some Amish-made quilts in more contemporary colors, designs and fabrics. In Bird-in-Hand, Fisher’s Handmade Quilts offers a broad selection of beautiful, durable locally made quilts and wall hangings. Local Amish and Mennonite artisans make each quilt – cutting, marking and sewing each piece by hand. Ask about custom-made quilts and repairs.
Hours:
Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Creative Home Furnishings
From cutting boards to custom homes, as well as indoor and outdoor furniture, the Amish are renowned for their skills in carpentry and woodworking. Creative Rustic Furniture upholds that reputation. Lloyd and Katherine Glick offer a unique line of hand-crafted furniture and home décor built to last a lifetime.
Lloyd started in his father’s construction business, and Katherine worked in her family’s retail shop. In 2010, the couple launched their first business, then expanded in 2019 with Creative Rustic Furniture. Today, they offer a wide range of home furnishings, including kitchen/dining room tables, chair and sideboards; bedroom sets; cabinets and bookshelves; and coffee tables, entertainment centers, end tables and TV stands. Handcrafted from reclaimed barnwood, live-edge slabs and other natural elements, they complement any style home.
Hours:
Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Friday & Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Visit Artisan Village
Both Fisher’s Quilts and Creative Rustic Furniture are located on Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-in-Hand. In the same complex, Bird-in-Hand Artisan Village brings together more than four dozen area vendors offering locally crafted furniture and homemade foods, original artwork and fashion accessories, candles and candies, and gifts for all ages. You’ll find one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces, handwoven baskets and other home décor. The artisans represent a variety of media, working in glass, ceramic, fabric, wood, leather, paper – even gourds, stones, beads and recycled wine barrels. Be sure to visit the Village Pantry kiosk and cold case and check out the carefully curated selection of locally made gourmet items and snacks, such as traditional meadow tea, hand-rolled sourdough pretzels, local honey and artisan cheeses from local farms.
Hours:
Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Toys for Today and Tomorrow
In a throw-away society, heirloom quality wooden toys are to be treasured. In the 1970s, John K. Lapp started a small toy and furniture-making business with a few designs. Although he retired in 2007, Lapp’s Toys is still a family-run business, with a large showroom and woodshop space on Horseshoe Road in Lancaster and space at Bird-in-Hand Artisan Village. Carefully handcrafted from sustainable Baltic birch wood, their toys are designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and built to withstand the wear and tear of childhood. They meet or exceed Consumer Product Safety standards and are finished with toxin-free paints. Lapp’s Toys makes wooden trains and vehicles, farm equipment, playsets and play kitchens, dollhouses and dollhouse furniture, developmental toys, board games and kids’ furniture. They’re the kind of pieces that will be passed from sibling to sibling, generation to generation.
Hours (Bird-in-Hand):
Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Hours (Lancaster):
Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
All-natural Foods
For an authentic Amish shopping experience, visit Miller’s Natural Foods. Located on Miller Lane about five minutes from Bird-in-Hand Artisan Village, this emporium offers bulk foods, herbs, vitamins and supplements, and natural and organic items, including locally grown produce. The store does not use artificial lighting, so if it looks closed on a cloudy day, don’t be fooled. It’s just a little dim inside. And, like other Amish-owned businesses, Miller’s is closed on Sundays.
Hours:
Monday–Thursday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Saturday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Horsin’ Around
For a truly unique Lancaster County shopping experience, visit the Li’l Country Store and Miniature Horse Farm on Paradise Lane in nearby Ronks. Owned and operated by Henry and Linda Stoltzfus, the store offers everything from Amish crafts to baked and canned goods, to handmade merchandise. You’ll find aprons and pot holders, signed and dated handcrafted baskets, birdhouses, salves and soaps, and more. A veteran woodworker, Henry creates many scratch-made wood products for the store. He also raises miniature horses and offers cart rides, saddle rides for children and horse workshops for the whole family. Visitors are welcome to stop in the barn and pet the horses.
Hours:
Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always happy to share local insights to help you make the most of your visit to Bird-in-Hand.