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Sometimes the search for antiques is as rewarding as the discovery of something nostalgic that can take you back to your childhood or, perhaps, the childhood of a grandparent or even a great-grandparent. Ohio's Amish Country is full of antiques and shops that cater to those in search of these delightful treasures. Finely built furniture, cupboards, and other Amish-crafted pieces are available at reasonable prices and will complement any home. Spend your time in Amish Country searching for something special.

Day 1

Spend your morning in Millersburg, the home of the Holmes County Antique Festival every October. Stop by Starlight Antiques on Jackson Street, a 5,000-square-foot shop overflowing with primitives, antiques and home décor. Built with two levels, the main floor consists mostly of antiques, collectibles and gifts and the basement is home to the “rough room” where visitors can sift through treasures waiting to be discovered. Starlight prides themselves on their reasonable prices and their individual customer service. Starlight participates in the many events held throughout the year in downtown Millersburg and looks forward to serving you when you visit.

Also located in the historic downtown area is Shaker House Antiques on the Square. Forgotten and lost treasures fill this warm and inviting shop, owned by Doug and Jane Johnston. Having been in the antique business for many years, the Johnstons moved their shop to the square in February 2011 to accommodate their growing collection of one of a kind items.

One more stop for the antique lover is the Millersburg Glass Museum, home to a vast collection of carnival glass. Created from 1909 to 1912, carnival glass is sometimes referred to as radium glass. The museum exists to enhance and preserve the heritage of the Millersburg Glass Company, founded by John W. Fenton, and is located in the Visitor Center in the Millersburg Historic District. Tours are available during scheduled business hours or by appointment.

There are a couple locations in downtown Berlin to shop for antiques as well, both of which will fill your afternoon with a fun experience unlike any other. Known for high quality antiques, Berlin Village Antique Mall is the largest of its kind in the region. With 26,000 square feet, the two floors are filled with glassware, primitives, large furniture, books, coins and lamps. Vendors are constantly adding to their inventory, so on each visit, a new discovery can be made.

Just east on SR 39 is the Berlin Antique Mall and Berlin Craft Mall, where visitors can enjoy a free cup of coffee as they explore the 13,000-square-foot antique mall filled with ever-changing inventory from the more than 90 various vendors specializing in pottery, baskets, glass, automotive accessories, clothing, quilts, books, lamps, furniture and much more. Parking is always free and with everything on one floor, the mall is accessible to all. As a part of Schrock’s Amish Farm and Village at Berlin, the antique mall is within walking distance to other attractions and restaurants that will surely be of interest.

Day 2

Some of the finest antique shops can be found within Ohio's Amish Country. Travel to the east, where many antique shops, both small and large, are filled with treasures waiting to be discovered. 

A great way to get your day started is by stopping and taking in the sights at historic Zoar Village. Zoar is literally a community that seems to have stopped in time, so antique shops are plenty. Located in a restored 19th century home in the historic village, Cobbler Shop Antiques is just a short drive from other attractions in the area. Stepback, jelly and chimney cupboards in desirable original finishes and paint are available, as well as wardrobes, tables and smaller furniture.  Vintage baskets, pewter candlesticks, brass items and fine china can be found amongst the various period items dating back to the 19th century.

When the owners, Mark and Kristy Gaynor, aren’t running their shop, they are usually participating in Civil War reenactments all over the country. When in Zoar, however, they are shopkeepers to Weaving Haus Antiques & Firearms, specializing in firearms sales and service, automobiles and parts, weaving products made in Zoar, rope bed restoration services, reproduction Zoar peg racks, history books, WWI machine gun training charts, airship and zeppelin relics and military war relics. Located in the 1825 Weaving Haus, the shop accepts consignments and is open Monday through Friday and on weekends by chance or appointment.

Make your final stop in Zoar at The Keeping Room, Antiques in the Wash House. This shop is indeed one of historic Zoar’s original communal wash houses. Located behind The Keeping Room Bed and Breakfast, visitors will be charmed by the 1877 structure, which still has the original privy. Various pieces of furniture and other antiques can be found amongst the fireplace and iron kettles that once served the communal laundry.

Head down the road to Bolivar to visit Fort Laurens, Ohio's only Revolutionary War Fort. But why not stop in Bolivar's antique store as well? Unique in its selection of antiques that range from furniture, jewelry, primitives, and pottery to mid-century modern, the two-story Fort Laurens Antiques Trading Co. in downtown Bolivar has some of the most varied inventory around. Open seven days a week to serve locals and travelers alike, you’ll never know what hidden treasures can be found from one visit to the next. An added point of interest: the shop had been chosen as the location for filming of a Hollywood movie. The second story of the shop was converted to an apartment for the lead female, while the first story was a shop run by the leading male.

You'll want to venture on over to the village of Strasburg, where an antique shop, dinner and a movie complete your day. Having recently expanded, Strasburg Antique Mall is bigger and better than ever for visitors looking for furniture, primitives, pottery, stoneware, vintage toys, glass, china, sporting goods, marbles, military items, jewelry, coins or baseball cards. With more than 50 dealers, this conveniently located mall in Strasburg is open seven days a week except on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Offering layaway and gift certificates, the mall also accepts credit cards for the convenience of shoppers.

Stop for dinner at one of the many casual dining establishments, before you take in a movie at Lynn Auto Drive-In, Ohio’s oldest drive-in theater. After 75 years, the theatre still offers two giant screens, a concession stand, and a friendly film operator who is happy to show you how the magic happens each night.

Day 3

Begin your day just outside in the village of Wilmot. There, you'll find Route 62 Antiques Mall, an Amish owned and operated business that began in 1998. The store is well stocked and contains a great variety of antiques including wagons, trunks, furniture, memorabilia, glass, wheels, barrels, and much more.

Further on up the road is Kidron, the perfect place for anyone visiting Amish Country. Lehman's Hardware is the shop you'll want to see, where being old fashioned is always in fashion. The massive store contains four pre-Civil War era buildings, including a Buggy Barn cinema, where you can relax on Amish-made church pews and learn about gardening, oil lamp restoration or wood stove maintenance. Antiques line the walls and products you thought they quit making years ago fill the shelves. You'll fall in love with their oil lamps, handmade pottery and copper cookie cutters; marvel at wood-burning cook stoves and retro refrigerators; and reminisce with the wooden and tin toys, cast iron cookware, hand tools and water pumps.

Spend your afternoon in Wooster, where you'll find an abundance of activities. Friendtique is a local favorite, boasting not only antiques, but furniture, ladies fine clothing and accessories. The 10,000 square foot building houses donated items, both new and gently used, in a unique retail environment. The clothing section for ladies offers size 4 to 24, and includes tops, slacks, suits, and gowns, all at bargain prices. What perhaps is even more important than the merchandise inside, however, is the mission of Friendtique. The store is the only one nationwide that is self-sustaining, where all profits benefit Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County.

In the heart of Wooster, you'll also find Uptown / Downtown Emporium, a multi-dealer mall with a variety of antiques and collectibles, including vintage dolls, furniture, linens and textiles, pottery and glass, as well as Townsend Antique. Open until 7 p.m. for your convenience, Townsend Antiques offers a unique selection of period antiques, including art glass, furniture, jewelry, textiles and a number of hard-to-find items.

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