Troyer's Country Store just south of Milroy, Indiana is in most ways your typical Amish bulk food emporium. Â It's not a very big store, but it packs a lot into its square footage. Â There are rows of bulk foods: flours, spices, candies, and other sundries. Â There are bolts of fabric, mainly dark blacks and browns for the Amish clientele that shop there. Â Although I was perplexed by the presence of purple and green feathered boas sharing the same rack as charcoal-dark Amish coats. (see photos below)
 But that's the fun of these variety stores,  there are always surprises.
We stopped into Troyer's after the annual auction. Â I had spoken on the phone before with owner Norman Troyer, but never had the pleasure of actually visiting the store. Â It was closing in on 3 p.m. and the harried Amish woman running the register answered a weary "yes" when I asked her if auction day was the busiest day of the year for them. Â Lots of traffic from the auction spills over into nearby Amish businesses.
Aster provided the entertainment for everyone during the long wait in line. Â I was thirsty so bought myself a can of Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer (not sure if I had sampled that before, it's good...pretty much root beer with a bit more kick). Â 
The ice cold can attracted Aster's attention. 
She kept trying to wrest it away from me while letting loose a loud delighted warble each time she touched the cold can.
The store has a bakery and deli. Â You can order made-to-order custom-made sandwiches, so Rachel and I had them do a couple of cheese sandwiches for the road. Â Tomorrow I'll post about some of their baked goods. Â Milroy is a more progressive settlement than most. Â Many Amish here don't have an objection to being photographed (still, always ask). Â Troyer's accepts credit cards ( a rare but growing trend among Amish businesses) and some of their lights are diesel-generated (I presume) electric lighting. Â Â Other scenes from Troyer's I thought I'd share are below.
brenda
like this a lot. really enjoying the saga of the pie. I am sure this will be an interesting saga. I hope you are going to put all of these mini tales into a major compilation between the covers of a journal for more broad publications. !!!!!!!
**I know what is with this lady and all of her suggestions for me ??!!
how are your and rachels parents doing with the baby pix of you two to compare with sweet Aster ???
Kevin
Thanks, Brenda:) I think she looks like both of our baby pictures, she really is a blend of both of us! A lot babies seem to strongly favor one parent or the other in looks, but Aster is a blend!
Virginia Erin Thompson
Can I used a food stamp card here ?
Kevin Williams
No, unfortunately not. Most Amish stores don't have the telephone and electricity needed to accept those. A handful do, but that is not one of them.
Debbie
Some yarn companies are now selling "ruffle yarn" that can be quickly knitted or crocheted into the boas pictured. (I made some for my aunts over the winter.) Perhaps some of the local Amish women are making them to sell to tourists?
Christine McDermott
Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer is a favorite one of ours. But the BEST Birch Beer is Frozen Run.
Donna
This shop is a little gem set just off a gravel road. I couldn't have been more pleased with visiting it. Highly recommend to anyone one that is interested in visiting.
Kevin
Glad you were able to make it there, Donna, yes, it is a wonderful little store!
JERRY MODLIN
is there anyone in Milory that will make shirts for me and maybe trousers.
Kevin
Jerry, email me with a bit more detail and I can probably help!