Every time I visit one of these places it becomes my "new favorite." SIGH, these stores are so fun and each one has their own special qualities and things that make them stand out. But, wow, it is hard not to like the Old Home Place. The workers were super friendly and there's just something scrappy about this store that is literally out on a windswept plain at an isolated exit off the highway. I think they've become a success purely by pluck and word-of-mouth, and that is impressive.
✅ About The Old Home Place
Tucked away just off US 35 just west of Chillicothe, Ohio sits a relatively nondescript building. But don't be fooled. Look inside and you'll get some sweet treats. The Mennonites that own this bakery are part of a more progressive fellowship than the more conservative Beachy Amish. They dress plainly, but otherwise are more liberal in using cars, cell phones, and computers. Many are also very active in mission work. Their store has a nice website here. This store is not to be confused with The Home Place, which is a Mennonite-owned bakery in Brown County, Ohio. If people talk about the Frankfort Amish store, they are talking about The Old Home Place.
The Old Home Place has the usual assortment of bulk foods that you find at such places, but the bakery and deli is where the action is. The bakery has an assortment of homemade pies, breads, cookies, and much more. The deli is a place where you can stop and get made-to-order sandwiches and there's a cooler full of homemade dips and salsas. Those are so popular that they can comprise up to 10 percent of the store's business. You can also pick up dinners like a 3 cheese lasagna that you take home. There is also a whole line of homemade fried pies made by a local Mennonite woman.
Saturday, not surprisingly, is the busiest day at The Old Home Place.
📷 Photos Of The Old Home Place Bakery and Bulk Foods
Here are some more "sweet scenes" from the Old Home Place
📋 Reviews of The Old Home Place
I am not the only person enthralled by this place, here are what others are saying on Yelp:
I was immediately impressed by the smell. It smells like you're walking into your Amish grandma's kitchen. In the first aisle, we found jams we had to buy and sky candles thst smelled amazing. In the second aisle, we were completely entranced by the selection of fresh herbs. Then we fell in love at the meat and deli counter. Amish brands, foods only found in Amish Ohio and tons of tasty things. This is a must stop. Oh, and if you're traveling, yes, they have nice clean restrooms right by the front door!
Another reviewer says:
This is a hidden gem! I've been driving down this road for several years and never stopped in. Corrected that today and was pleasantly surprised. Lots of things to stock my pantry (granola, vanilla, spices) as well as my belly (fresh pastries, yogurt parfait). No added sugar jams and jellies, coffee. I'll stop next time I'm down this road. Good place. Chicken pot pie looked good but I couldn't buy refrigerated items today.
🥧 The Old Home Place Bakery
The bakery here is super. And they will custom make stuff. So if you decide you want someone to make your grandma's secret "cucumber cake" (I just made that up) you can give them the recipe and they'll make it for you.
Here are some of their standard sellers that you'll find in their bakery:
Pies
- Coconut Cream
- Cherry
- Velvety Custard
- Old Fashioned Apple
- Blackberry
Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin
- Browned Butter Sugar
- Chocolate No-Bake
- Chocolate Chip
- Buttermilk
Sherry Beckstedt
Hi Kevin my name is Sherry, and I am late responding to your small towns article. I happen to know where Gratis Ohio is! I go through there each year to visit the graves of my Grandparents, my Gr. Grandparents and my Gr. Gr. Grandfather who was in the civil war. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery just outside of Gratis on Rt. 122. I also was wondering if you are familiar with the plain people in the area where I live in Miami County Ohio around Covington and Bradford . I have lived in Miami Co. all my life but only in this area for 24 yrs. and still not sure of their faith, they drive horse and buggies(Black) dress plain, no electric, but not sure weather they are Amish or Mennonite , and we have Old Order German Baptist Dunkards in this area also. Thought I would ask , since I am new to Amish 365 and have never heard you mention this area. Thanks for your time and keep up the great work you do on Amish 365. Sincerely Sherry
Kevin
Thank you for the kind words and for stopping by, Sherry. I know right where that cemetery is. As for the Plain people in your area, I know them well. I spent a lot of time with them a couple of years ago doing a whole package of stories for Amish365.com, it was a joint project with Al-Jazeera news, you can see my whole article here http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/15/little-known-petitioners-church-sees-population.html
They are the Old Order German Baptist Brethren. Thanks again for stopping by! - Kevin