Where do Amish go shopping?

Amish buy food and other goods in various places

Despite perceptions of the Amish as an isolated society, Amish do participate in the economy and purchase a wide variety of consumer goods. While they do grow a large portion of the food they consume, Amish also purchase food and other products in a variety of venues, including salvage stores, Amish-run dry goods shops, and even large supermarkets such as Wal-Mart.

Amish buy food and other goods in a variety of venues:

Salvage stores-Amish appreciate the bargains found in these shops that specialize in damaged goods
Dry goods stores-these typically Amish-run stores offer a wide variety of home implements
Spector’s-this chain of stores provides fabrics in numerous Amish settlements
Wal-Mart and other supermarkets-Amish appreciate the large quantities and low prices found in Wal-Mart and other superstores
Auctions-auctions are not only a place to purchase goods but also to socialize
Mail Order-Amish make purchases through the mail, often through advertisements found in Amish publications such as the Budget

Salvage stores

Typically in most sizeable Amish settlements, there is at least one salvage goods store. Salvage, or “bent ‘n’ dent” stores, may sell damaged items, or items near or past their expiration dates. Amish appreciate the good deals they can get on foods that are typically consumed quite quickly in large Amish households.

Intercourse, PA. Both Amish and non-Amish businesses provide buggy parking

The shops are an outlet for food that would otherwise go to waste, thus the Amish also appreciate the fact that they may be using products that would otherwise be disposed of. Salvage stores play an important part in the local economy. Numerous Amish businesspeople operate such stores, which are patronized by Amish and non-Amish alike.

Dry Goods stores

Most Amish communities also have at least one dry goods store, where one can purchase writing supplies, books, supplies for canning, flashlights and other lighting implements, and fabrics in some cases. Dry goods stores are typically run by Amish or Mennonites, and like many Amish-run shops, inhabit a small building at a home property.

Spector’s

Spector’s is a fabric chain store found in numerous Amish communities. Though some Amish today purchase clothing off the rack, many Amish women still make clothing for their families, and in particular, dresses. Spector’s carries a wide variety of fabrics and related supplies. A light selection of books and greeting cards is also commonly found at Spector’s stores.

Wal-Mart

Amish who live within striking distance of Wal-Mart are likely to take advantage of the low prices and bulk sizes available at the iconic superstore. Amish do not have moral issues with shopping at large retailers, viewing it as a matter of practicality and economy. It is not uncommon to see long rows of Amish buggies lined up at the buggy rails outside of Wal-Marts and other stores in Amish areas, and to frequently find Amish shoppers in the aisles.

Outside the Wal-Mart in Millersburg, Ohio

Even for those Amish who do not live nearby, it is common for Amish to hire an “Amish taxi“, typically a van, in groups to go on a once-a-month shopping trip to Wal-Mart or other stores. Amish buy everything from food to clothing to household amenities at Wal-Mart.

Amish auctions

Auctions are a highly popular venue from Amish, and take place in a variety of venues. School auctions help to raise money for the operations of Amish schoolhouses.

Benefit auctions provide funds for mission work carried out by Mennonite groups. The Haiti auctions, taking place in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida, are long-running events supported by Amish, Mennonites and the surrounding community.

At Amish auctions, one can purchase and sell everything from hunting gear to quilts to furniture. Some auctions specialize in a particular type of good, such as farm equipment or buggies. Similarly, Amish attend estate sales, which take place after an elderly individual passes away and personal items and sometimes the home are put up for auction.

Amish and Mennonites leave an auction in Lancaster County

Amish enjoy auctions as a time to socialize, support a good cause, and get a bite to eat. Typically there are a variety of food vendors on hand, selling everything from hot food to pies and coffee to samples of ethnic Haitian dishes in the case of the Haiti auctions. The auction is simultaneously a social event, fulfills a commercial function, and often also supports a good cause.

Other venues where Amish shop

Amish purchase products by mail order, evidenced by the large number of advertisements found in Amish publications such as the Budget and Raber’s Almanac. Some Amish are avid hunters, and may even shop at places like hunting retailer Cabela’s, either by mail, or by visiting one of the retailer’s store locations.

Amish and the consumer economy

Despite perceptions to the contrary, Amish do participate in the economy, and acquire their consumer goods in a variety of places. Some of those establishments are typically operated by Amish or Mennonites, such as Spector’s or salvage stores, while Amish also patronize large retailers such as Wal-Mart.

The availability of more disposable income in recent years, due to business success as well as well-paying jobs in manufacturing, has allowed the Amish more money to spend, and a generally higher standard of living than their predecessors of a generation or two back.

For further information, see:

Amish Online Encyclopedia: Do Amish use banks?

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