By Kevin Williams
One trend I've noticed in recent years is for people who aren't Amish opening "Amish stores." Â How do you feel about that? Â I mean, clearly you can go have Italian food at a restaurant that isn't run by Italians. Â Do you have to have a connection to the culture to create a cultural experience? Â Shrug. Â Don't know. Â These stores seem, not surprisingly, to be most common in areas where there aren't an Amish around. Â But in recent years faux Amish stores have opened up in places as disparate as Utah and Hazard, Kentucky, all trying to capitalize on their Amish aura. Â The formula seems to be pretty standard: Â have a deli with some Amish country cheese, offer bulk foods and spices, and carry some Walnut Creek or Jake n Amos brands.
My parents stopped at the Old Town Amish Country Store off off I-76 in Berea, Kentucky recently on their way south.  From what I could tell, my parents thought the place was "okay."  You can read a lot more on Yelp. With I-75 being such a main north-south artery in the Midwest, has anyone else stopped here?  If so, what did you think?
The Old Town Store in Berea, Kentucky
The formula is pretty standard: bulk foods are a big part of any imitation Amish business.
Aimee
I've been to this store and didn't think it was anything special. But then again, I've been spoiled by Shady Maple, Beachy's Bulk Foods and E&S Sales, grocery stores all located in Amish areas. (ie Lancaster County, Arthur, IL and Shipshewana, IN, for those not familiar with these stores. The first one is more a huge grocery store than just an Amish bulk food place, but does have a bulk food section, and the Amish shop there. )
IMO, if you're in the Berea area and have time to look around, you're better off going to the many art galleries, down home-type shops, and stores dedicated to the crafts made at Berea College.
Kevin
Agreed, Aimee...If you've been to the 'real thing' the Berea store is just sort of blah, but if you've never ever been to an Amish bulk food store and you think you probably will never get the chance, this place might be worth a stop. Maybe. Otherwise, yes, check out the Appalachia arts in Berea!