One of my favorite stops of this recent Holmes County trip was Raber’s Bookstore, located “2 miles south of Charm”, as it says on the business card. This photo is not of the store itself, but of an old schoolhouse nearby.
The bookstore has changed hands to the next generation and is run by a lively pair, we’ll call them “Atlee” and “Emma”. The store itself is housed in what looks to be an old milk house. It is quite cramped but cozy, with a low ceiling. They are constructing a new building for it next door, which will be sure to make browsing the shop a little easier.
When I dropped in, Emma was around, and we had a nice talk. She had heard about my book and seemed interested in it. I told her it was great to finally visit the store, which I’d pictured in my mind on numerous occasions when sending in orders by mail (among other publications, Raber’s sells the Almanac, or Calender).
Another customer dropped in, and later Atlee himself, who seemed equally warm and welcoming though he appeared to be busy with something, as he left shortly thereafter. I was signing the guest book as Atlee returned, asking Emma where his shotgun was. “I’m about to leave, there’s no need for that,” I interjected.
They seemed to get a kick out of that. And after a hearty laugh, I escaped unscathed.
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9 responses to Raber’s Bookstore
This is so neat to hear about a Raber bookstore. I found out from my aunt in west virginia we are related to amish rabers. God Bless Joyce
Can you publish the exact address for Raber’s Bookstore. We would like to check it out on my next trip home to Berlin. Charm is, and always has been one of my favorite places on earth.
Anything with “bookstore” in the name gets my vote – I wish I could go there right now! Sounds adorable and I bet it’s so flattering when you walk into these places and they know of you and your book – that’s awesome! ☺
To G. Stutzman:
) Mike
If you go south on CR 600 out of Charm, Raber’s bookstore is right before you come to TR 188, on the west side of the road. Don’t worry about not finding it; everybody in the southeast part of Holmes County probably knows where Raber’s Bookstore is. Just ask where “Bookstore Ben Raber” lives. (Yep more than one Ben Raber in Holmes County
the address is
2467 CR 600
Baltic, OH 43804
needless to say my mom had a fit when I told her “Rabers Bookstore” is on the world wide web! My Great grandpa started the shop, Then grandpa Ben and Emma kept it going until my parents Aden and Mary took it over a couple yrs ago.And yes they are seeing more out of towners and wondered why until mom stated asking where they found out about the bookstore! Need I say the web.90% of there business is mail orders but anyones welcome to stop in.I do love the pic that is posted, that is on my home place where I lived my first 22 yrs, it is the Chestnut Ridge School House where grandpa Ben went to school. The new Flat Ridge School is 1/2 north of there place now!
Raber’s Bookstore
Raber's Book Store Information
Hello, My husband and I was in the area on 3-13-12. We wanted to stop at Raber’s Bookstore but didn’t seem like it was open at 1:30 in the afternoon. There was no sign out front or anything indicating they were open.
I was wondering if they close for winter or have specific hours? If you have that information, I would greatly appreciate it. Out of respect, I didn’t go to the door, I would never intrude.
Thank you so much for all that you post.
Sincerely,
Carol
Raber’s Bookstore
There are no specific hrs as of yet we are working on setting hrs but if nobody is in the store check the houses there’s always someone around!
Sorry that you didnt get any service that day, but do not hesitate to knock on the door. On march 6 grandpa Ben Raber passed away and Mary Raber (mom) who is usually in the bookstore had a emer triple by-pass done the same afternoon, so she had been home only 4 days when you stopped in, but somebody is usually there to wait on customers. She is recovering greatly at this time!God is good!
Remember we do about 80% mail orders compared to our in store customers, so were usually packing books.
Raber’s Bookstore
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Hypochondriac diseases will prevail… | Amish America Comment on Raber’s Bookstore (September 5th, 2010 at 07:54)
[...] bulk of the 88-page pamphlet, produced by an Ohio Amish printer, is a more-or-less comprehensive listing of Old Order Amish church districts along with their [...]
Amish publications- addresses, order, and subscription info | Amish America Comment on Raber’s Bookstore (September 6th, 2010 at 08:51)
[...] in the area, you can also drop in to the bookstore at the above address. When I last visited Raber’s Bookstore in April, Aden and Mary were in the process of expanding to a new facility, much larger than the [...]
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