Why is Yoder's Country Market so
popular?
Yoder's
Country Market is an Amish-style bulk food store located in Caswell County,
NC.
It's a
simple place where you can enjoy an atmosphere
from days gone by, filled with goodies of
yesteryear such as homemade blueberry jam and
sweet potato butter, birch beer, horehound candy, and homemade apple and
peach fried pies. And, of course, samples of Super Sharp cheddar and Hoop
cheese are always abundant, as are the smiles from the friendly folks
serving it up!
History
Yoder's began
in this area about 13 years ago by an Amishman, Mr. Sam Yoder, and his
family. A bulk food store is a common thing in Amish/Mennonite
communities. The original store was on Hwy 62 (part of NC's
Colonial Heritage Scenic Byway), then
later it was moved to its current location on Blanch Rd. one mile west of Hwy 62.
(There is still a large sign on N.C. 62 so you won't miss the turn.)
In 2004, the Yoders wanted
to move to Kentucky, and so quietly put out the word that the store MIGHT be for
sale. Yep, might. Mr. Yoder did not want to sell his store to
just anybody. He was determined to find, in his words, "a Christian, homeschooling family interested in running the business as it had been run -
as a family affair". He wanted to ensure that the things his customers
(who had over the years become his friends) had come to expect at Yoder's -
quality Amish and locally produced goods, friendly folks to chat with, and
the wonderful smell of the various spices - would remain the same as they
had been for the past 13+ years.
The Smith's Find a Rare Gem
Through what only can be
contributed to the work of the Lord, I found out about a
store/home/land for sale in Caswell County from another MOMYS (mother of
many young siblings - www.momys.com), an
email group to which I belong. We have
8 children
now, six of whom were aged 6
and under at the time. Not being familiar with the geography of
northern NC, I thought it might be in Lancaster, PA, Amish country - after
all, the email did say "in the heart of Amish country" - a phrase that
doesn't immediately bring North Carolina to mind - but I
did some internet researching on a "whim" (yes, it was the prodding of the
Holy Spirit) and found it was an hour and a half away.
The next day, Sunday, we
loaded up the van and took a drive. We had no idea where the store might be,
but we got directions to Yanceyville and started driving. I didn't realize
at the time that Rick had prayed that if we were supposed to find it, that
the Lord would help us find it. And find it we did! And to those of you that
have found your way to Yoder's Country Market, you know what a miracle that was! :)
Although the store was
closed that day, we "knew" we were supposed to pursue buying the store. You
see, I worked for IBM full time, albeit from home, and Rick had recently given up his
position as administrator and youth leader at a church in Kernersville
because of the Lord's leading.
We wanted to get back to being a family, not just a group of related
individuals who met for the occasional meal.
God had given us our family as our first ministry, and we wanted more time together. What better way than working a family
business in the country?
So, to make a long story
short, in October 2004, Rick and I and our family moved into the house next
to the store and took over the reins of Yoder's Country Market. Two
Mennonite sisters, Esther and Ellen Schmucker, helped us through the transition, but
moved later to be with a church community in Pennsylvania.
It's been a grand
adventure and we love it here! The community has welcomed us wholly and we
enjoy very much meeting our customers, chit-chatting with them about the
benefits of flaxseed, or ear candles, or whatever. (OK, Rick really
likes talking to the WWII vets, especially the Marines. Ooh-Rah and Semper
Fi!)
And so the adventure continues...
God Bless!
Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore
in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled
again with a yoke of bondage. |
