FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A Taste of Lancaster County Arrives on Route 37
Slow Food in the Fast Lane: The Whispering Pines Amish Market Opens in Toms River
TOMS RIVER, NJ – The relentless hum of traffic on Route 37 is the familiar soundtrack of life in Ocean County. It’s a world of brake lights, big-box stores, and the eternal rush to the shore. But as of this week, a new destination at 1256 Route 37 West is inviting locals to downshift, breathe deeply, and step into a world where time seems to move just a little bit slower—and smell significantly sweeter.
The Whispering Pines Amish Market & Bakery has officially opened its doors, transforming a formerly nondescript retail space into a bustling hub of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. The contrast is striking. Outside, cars speed toward the Garden State Parkway. Inside, the air is thick with the intoxicating aroma of yeast, caramelized brown sugar, and warm cinnamon, and the only rush is the line forming for fresh-out-of-the-oven sticky buns.
While Ocean County has its share of excellent Italian bakeries and Jersey diners, the arrival of authentic Amish fare fills a unique culinary niche in Toms River. The market is not merely a novelty; it is a full-service bakery, a sprawling bulk food pantry, and a deli offering a taste of a simpler, heartier way of life.
A Bridge Between Worlds
The market is a logistical feat designed to bring authentic goods to the Jersey Shore. While staffed by a mix of local employees and members of the Mennonite community—who, unlike the Old Order Amish, drive cars and utilize electricity in their businesses—the products are sourced directly from Amish producers in Lancaster and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania. Every morning before dawn, a van makes the trek westward, returning loaded with baked goods that still hold the warmth of stone ovens.
“People in Toms River appreciate good food, honest food,” says Sarah Stoltzfus, one of the market’s managers, as she deftly stacks loaves of golden-crusted sourdough. “We don’t use preservatives. We use real butter, real cream, and time. You can taste the difference when dough isn’t rushed.”
The interior of Whispering Pines is distinctively rustic. Handmade wooden shelving replaces metal gondolas, and the lighting is warm and inviting. There is a palpable sense of calm, a quiet politeness among the staff that seems contagious to the customers, many of whom wander the aisles with looks of nostalgic wonder.
The Bakery: The Heart of the Operation
If the market has a soul, it resides in the bakery section. This is not the place for delicate, foam-based patisserie. This is the home of robust, stick-to-your-ribs comfort baking.
The immediate bestseller is, predictably, the Glazed Cinnamon Roll. These are not the palm-sized pastries found in mall food courts. These are dinner-plate-sized behemoths, spirals of soft, yeasty dough generously studded with cinnamon and slathered in a rich cream cheese glaze that cracks delicately when bitten.
Another favorite is the classic Shoofly Pie. A polarizing dessert for the uninitiated, the Whispering Pines version balances the intense sweetness of the molasses “wet bottom” with a buttery, slightly salty crumb topping that creates a perfect textural harmony.
“I haven’t had a shoofly pie like this since my grandmother passed away thirty years ago,” said resident Eleanor Vance, 74, wiping a crumb from her cheek during the soft opening. “It tastes like history. It brings tears to my eyes.”
The bread selection is equally impressive. Loaves of white, wheat, and rye are heavy and dense, meant to be sliced thick and slathered with the market’s house-churned rolled butter. The jalapeño cheddar bread offers a surprising kick and has already become a favorite for grilled cheese enthusiasts across the county.
Of course, no Amish market is complete without Whoopie Pies. The bakery offers the traditional chocolate cake with vanilla crème filling, alongside seasonal variations like pumpkin spice and red velvet. They are the size of saucers, soft, moist, and intensely sweet.
The Pantry and Deli: Stocking Up
Beyond the immediate gratification of the bakery, the back half of the store is dedicated to bulk foods. In an era of shrinking grocery package sizes and rising prices, the bulk aisle at Whispering Pines feels like a revelation.
Clear bins line the walls, filled with everything a home cook could imagine. There are dozens of different flours, soup mixes that only require water and a simmer, dried fruits, nuts, and an entire wall dedicated to spices.
“I just bought enough smoked paprika and garlic powder to last me six months, and it cost me four dollars,” laughed Mark Davison, a father of three from nearby Beachwood. “The spices smell so fresh; they aren’t dusty like the ones sitting in the supermarket for a year.”
The shelves are also stocked with jarred goods that read like a tour of a Pennsylvania farmhouse pantry: pickled beets, chow-chow (a tangy vegetable relish), bread-and-butter pickles, and a dizzying array of jams. The “Traffic Jam”—a blend of peaches, strawberries, and cherries—is already a top seller, perhaps an ironic nod to the market’s location on Route 37.
The deli counter at the rear of the store features high-quality meats and cheeses free from fillers. They offer authentic Lebanon bologna, a smoky, tangy cured beef sausage that is a PA Dutch staple, alongside incredibly sharp cheddars and creamy havarti. The prepared food section includes tubs of homemade chicken salad, potato salad made with a vinegar-and-bacon dressing, and coleslaw that is crisp and lightly sweet.
A Community Embrace
The reception from the Toms River community has been overwhelmingly positive, bordering on zealous. Social media pages for local foodie groups have been lit up with photos of giant donuts and glowing reviews.
“Finally, something different in TR! I went in for a loaf of bread and came out with $60 worth of stuff I didn’t know I needed. The apple dumplings served warm with their vanilla sauce are absolutely life-changing. Forget the diet; go here immediately.” — Online review from user ‘JerseyShoreMom_82’
“It’s the cleanest store I’ve ever been in. The staff is so polite and quiet, it’s such a nice break from the noise of the rest of the day. And the soft pretzels? They are dipped in real butter. I’m obsessed.” — Quote from customer Dave R. outside the store.
Whispering Pines Amish Market & Bakery is more than just a new place to buy groceries. It serves as a sensory reminder that sometimes, the old ways of doing things—with patience, simple ingredients, and a dedication to craft—truly are the best ways. In the middle of the hustle of Ocean County, Route 37 has found its sweet, quiet center.
The Whispering Pines Amish Market & Bakery
Address: 1256 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755
Hours: Wednesday–Friday 9am–6pm; Saturday 8am–4pm; Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.
Must-Try Items: Glazed Cinnamon Rolls, Jalapeño Cheddar Bread, “Traffic Jam” preserves, smoked Lebanon bologna.
