As you explore the rural backroads of Michigan, you’ll discover a world where time seems to move at a different pace. Amish communities dot the landscape, offering a glimpse into a simpler way of life. While you might expect to find traditional Amish businesses like furniture makers and quilt shops, Michigan’s Amish country is home to some truly unique enterprises that may surprise you. Let’s take a journey to five unusual Amish businesses that showcase the ingenuity and craftsmanship of these hardworking people.
The Buggy Whip Maker of Clare
Your first stop takes you to the outskirts of Clare, Michigan, where a small, unassuming workshop sits nestled among the trees. As you approach, the rhythmic sound of leather being worked fills the air. This is the domain of Ezra Yoder, one of the last remaining buggy whip makers in the state[1].
You step inside the workshop, and the rich scent of leather envelops you. Ezra, a soft-spoken man with a neatly trimmed beard, greets you with a gentle nod. He’s in the middle of crafting a buggy whip, his hands moving with practiced precision as he weaves strips of leather together.
“Not many folks need buggy whips these days,” Ezra tells you as he works. “But for us Amish, they’re still essential. And there are some English (non-Amish) who like them for decoration or for their horse-drawn carriages.”
You watch in fascination as Ezra demonstrates the intricate process of creating a buggy whip. He starts with carefully selected strips of cowhide, which he cuts and tapers with expert skill. The leather is then braided tightly around a flexible core, creating a whip that’s both durable and responsive.
What makes Ezra’s business truly unusual is his clientele. While he primarily serves the local Amish community, his reputation for quality has spread far beyond Michigan. Collectors from across the country seek out his handcrafted whips, prizing them for their historical value and craftsmanship.
As you leave Ezra’s workshop with a beautifully crafted buggy whip in hand, you can’t help but feel a connection to a bygone era, preserved through the skill and dedication of this Amish artisan.
The Herbal Remedy Shop in Centreville
Your journey continues to Centreville, where you find yourself at the doorstep of “Nature’s Bounty,” an Amish-run herbal remedy shop. The sweet scent of dried herbs and flowers wafts through the air as you enter the small, rustic building[1]. 24029 Truckenmiller Rd, Centreville, MI 49032
Inside, you’re greeted by Sarah Miller, a kind-faced Amish woman in her fifties. The walls are lined with shelves holding jars of dried herbs, tinctures, and salves. What sets this shop apart is Sarah’s extensive knowledge of traditional herbal remedies, passed down through generations of her family.
“We believe in using what God has provided in nature to heal our bodies,” Sarah explains as she shows you around. “Many of these remedies have been used by our people for hundreds of years.”
You’re intrigued by the variety of products on offer. There are tinctures for everything from digestive issues to insomnia, salves for muscle aches and skin conditions, and carefully crafted herbal tea blends. Sarah takes the time to explain the properties of each herb and how they’re used in traditional Amish medicine.
What makes this business truly unique is Sarah’s commitment to sustainable harvesting and organic growing practices. Many of the herbs are grown in her own garden or ethically wildcrafted from the surrounding countryside.
“We must be good stewards of the land,” Sarah tells you. “That’s why we only take what we need and make sure to leave enough for the plants to regrow.”
As you leave with a bag full of herbal remedies, you feel a newfound appreciation for this ancient form of healing, kept alive through the wisdom and care of the Amish community.
The Amish Tech Repair Shop in Mio
Your next destination might seem like a contradiction in terms: an Amish-run technology repair shop. Yet as you pull up to a small building on the outskirts of Mio, that’s exactly what you find[1].
As you continue your journey through Michigan’s Amish country, you’ll find that the community in Mio has embraced an unexpected niche: technology repair. Jacob Bontrager’s shop may seem out of place among the horse-drawn buggies and traditional farms, but it serves a vital purpose for both the Amish and their “English” neighbors.
“We may not use smartphones or computers ourselves,” Jacob explains, “but we understand how important they are to others. And there’s a need for honest, skilled repair work.”
You watch in amazement as Jacob deftly disassembles a laptop, his nimble fingers moving with the same precision you’d expect from an Amish craftsman working with wood or leather. He explains that while the Amish don’t typically use modern technology, they’re not entirely unfamiliar with it. Many Amish businesses use computers and phones for work purposes, albeit with strict limitations.
What sets Jacob’s shop apart is its clientele. While he serves the local non-Amish community, he’s also become a go-to resource for other Amish businesses in the area. He helps maintain the basic technology they use for work, ensuring it stays within the guidelines set by their church leaders.
As you chat with Jacob, you learn that his unusual career path was born out of necessity. When local English businesses started requiring electronic payment methods, the Amish community needed a way to process these transactions without compromising their values. Jacob stepped up to help bridge this gap, and his skills grew from there.
“It’s about finding a balance,” Jacob tells you. “We want to maintain our way of life, but we also need to interact with the world around us. This shop helps us do that on our own terms.”
As you leave Jacob’s shop, you can’t help but reflect on how this unexpected business represents the Amish community’s ability to adapt while staying true to their core values.
The Sustainable Furniture Factory in Quincy
Your next stop takes you to Quincy, where you discover a furniture factory that’s redefining what it means to be sustainable. As you approach the large barn-like structure, you notice something unusual: a series of windmills and solar panels dotting the surrounding field.
You’re greeted by Eli Schwartz, the owner of “Green Pine Furnishings.” Eli, a tall man with a salt-and-pepper beard, gives you a warm smile as he invites you inside. The workshop is a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern green technology, a sight that takes you by surprise.
“We believe in being good stewards of God’s creation,” Eli explains as he shows you around. “That means not just crafting furniture that lasts, but doing it in a way that’s kind to the earth.”
What makes this business truly unique is its commitment to sustainability at every level. The wood used in their furniture comes from responsibly managed local forests. The factory itself is powered entirely by renewable energy from their wind and solar installations. Even the finishes and glues used are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
You watch as skilled craftsmen work on various pieces, their hands moving with practiced ease. The furniture they create is beautiful, with clean lines and expert joinery that speaks to the Amish tradition of quality workmanship.
But it’s not just the production that’s green. Eli shows you their innovative packaging system, which uses biodegradable materials and minimizes waste. They’ve even set up a program to take back and refurbish old pieces, extending the life of their furniture and reducing landfill waste.
“We want our furniture to be a blessing not just to the families who use it, but to the world around us,” Eli says with pride.
As you leave with a beautifully crafted, eco-friendly side table, you’re struck by how this business has managed to blend traditional Amish values with modern environmental concerns, creating something truly unique in the process.
The Amish Food Truck in Centreville
Your journey takes an unexpected turn as you arrive in Centreville. Parked on the outskirts of town, you spot what appears to be a horse-drawn food truck. This unusual sight draws you in for a closer look.
You’re greeted by Rebecca Yoder, a young Amish woman with a warm smile and an entrepreneurial spirit. She explains that this mobile kitchen, which she calls “The Rolling Pin,” is her way of sharing traditional Amish cuisine with a wider audience.
“We’ve always been known for our home cooking,” Rebecca tells you as she prepares a batch of her famous cinnamon rolls. “But not everyone can come to an Amish home for dinner. So I thought, why not bring our food to them?”
The concept is simple but revolutionary for the Amish community. Rebecca and her team travel to different locations throughout St. Joseph County, serving up hearty, home-cooked meals from their horse-drawn kitchen. The menu changes daily, featuring everything from classic Amish dishes like chicken and noodles to Rebecca’s own creative twists on traditional recipes.
What makes this business truly unique is how it bridges the gap between the Amish and English communities. The food truck has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, drawn by the novelty of the concept and the quality of the food.
“It’s a way for people to experience our culture through food,” Rebecca explains. “And for us, it’s a chance to interact with our neighbors in a new way.”
As you savor a slice of shoofly pie, still warm from the oven, you can’t help but be impressed by Rebecca’s ingenuity. She’s found a way to share her heritage while respecting the traditions of her community, creating a business that’s as nourishing to the soul as it is to the body.
The Amish Drone Photography Service in Homer
Your final stop on this journey through unusual Amish businesses brings you to Homer, where you encounter perhaps the most surprising enterprise yet. Tucked away on a quiet farm, you find the headquarters of “Sky View Imagery,” an Amish-run drone photography service.
You’re greeted by Samuel Miller, a young Amish man with a passion for technology and a deep respect for his community’s traditions. Samuel explains that while the Amish generally avoid personal use of advanced technology, they recognize its value for business purposes.
“Our elders saw the potential for this technology to help our community,” Samuel tells you as he demonstrates how to operate one of his drones. “We use it primarily for agricultural purposes, helping farmers survey their land and monitor crop health.”
What makes this business truly unique is how it navigates the complex relationship between Amish values and modern technology. Samuel and his team don’t own smartphones or computers. Instead, they’ve developed a system where English (non-Amish) partners handle the digital aspects of the business, such as image processing and client communication.
You watch in amazement as Samuel skillfully pilots a drone over a nearby field, capturing high-resolution images of the crops below. He explains how this technology has revolutionized farming practices in the Amish community, allowing for more efficient use of resources and better crop yields.
But Sky View Imagery’s services aren’t limited to agriculture. They’ve also found a niche in providing aerial photography for real estate listings, event coverage, and even assisting in search and rescue operations.
“We see this as a way to serve our community and our neighbors,” Samuel says. “It’s about using the tools available to us in a way that aligns with our values.”
As your visit comes to an end, you reflect on the five unusual Amish businesses you’ve encountered on your journey through Michigan. From the buggy whip maker preserving a dying art to the drone photographer embracing cutting-edge technology, each enterprise showcases the Amish community’s ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to their core values.
These businesses challenge the common perception of the Amish as being stuck in the past. Instead, they reveal a community that’s thoughtfully engaging with the modern world on their own terms. Whether it’s through sustainable practices, technological adaptations, or creative business models, Michigan’s Amish entrepreneurs are finding ways to thrive in the 21st century while honoring their traditional way of life.
As you drive away from Amish country, you can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for these hardworking individuals. They’ve shown you that it’s possible to respect tradition while embracing change, to be part of a close-knit community while engaging with the wider world, and to find innovative solutions to modern challenges without compromising one’s values.
Your journey through Michigan’s Amish country has been more than just a tour of unique businesses. It’s been a lesson in adaptability, creativity, and the enduring strength of a community that continues to thrive in an ever-changing world. As you head home, you carry with you not just the handcrafted souvenirs and delicious treats, but also a newfound appreciation for the complex and fascinating world of Michigan’s Amish entrepreneurs.
Citations:
[1] https://www.amish365.com/where-are-the-amish-in-michigan/
[2] https://clarecountymi.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/shop-amish-businesses-but-please-dont-point/comment-page-1/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u74cmKG9ZtA
[4] https://amishamerica.com/michigan-amish-tourism-business/
[5] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/amish-town-mi/