Hazleton, Pennsylvania, known for its coal-country history and patchwork of immigrant traditions, is beginning a new chapter with the arrival of a vibrant Amish community. What started in late 2024 as a few families searching for fertile farmland and a quieter pace has grown—by 2025—into a settlement of around 15 families from Lancaster County and beyond. The new Amish presence is bringing their hallmark values of simplicity, craftsmanship, and community spirit to Hazleton’s hills, revitalizing local food culture and small business while providing an authentic escape for travelers looking to experience genuine Pennsylvania heritage.visittheamish+1
Amish Life Finds a Home in Hazleton
Hazleton’s countryside proved irresistible for Amish families seeking affordable farmland and a way to preserve their traditions. Jacob Miller, a founding resident, explained the move: “We were seeking new opportunities and affordable farmland. Hazleton offered us a chance to start fresh while maintaining our way of life”. Hazleton’s residents have welcomed their new neighbors warmly, with local business owners, tourists, and long-timers praising both their work ethic and community spirit.visittheamish
“The people here are respectful—we felt at home right away,” notes Samuel Yoder, a community elder. “It reminds us of Lancaster, only quieter and closer to the mountains.”
Taste Tradition: Hazleton’s New Amish Food Businesses
The most celebrated arrival for locals and visitors has been the Amish-led “Sunrise Bakery,” run by Sarah Yoder and family. Located just off Route 93, Sunrise Bakery quickly earned a loyal following for its fresh-baked goods—especially shoofly pies, cinnamon bread, sticky buns, and soft pretzels. Sarah shares: “We use recipes passed down through generations. People seem to appreciate the simplicity and quality of our baked goods”.visittheamish
Emily Thompson, a Hazleton local, says, “The Sunrise Bakery has become my go-to for fresh bread and pies. There’s something special knowing it was made that morning using traditional methods.”
Other food highlights:
- Roadside Produce Stand: Local sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and pumpkins—grown by Amish hands, sold with a smile.
- Homemade Jam & Apple Butter: “Picked up four jars—two for myself, two for gifts. Nothing beats the flavor,” raves traveler Alice M.
- Casual “Community Table” Dinners: Occasionally, Amish families in Hazleton host buffet-style dinners for outsiders, featuring favorites like fried chicken, mashed potatoes with brown butter, homemade noodles, and chow chow.
Authentic Craftsmanship & Local Shopping
Visitors don’t just come for pie—they also leave with beautifully made Amish crafts. In Hazleton’s outskirts, a new woodworking shop is drawing crowds for hand-carved furniture, baskets, quilts, leather goods, and toys.
- Woodworking Shop: Find dining tables, benches, rocking chairs, and custom commissions. Prices are fair—and every piece is meant to last for decades.
- Gift Market: Bulk foods, jams, apple cider, dried noodles, cheese, honey, soup mixes, and pickled vegetables line the shelves. “The selection of cheese is unbelievable—sharp, smoky, herbed,” reports one New Jersey visitor.theamishpantry
Travel tip: Bring cash and check the map at Hazleton’s city office or the Pronto Convenience Store for directions to local Amish businesses.hazletonia
Coal Country, Craft Country
This new chapter in Hazleton is transforming the former coal region into a mosaic of rural color. Visitors who used to come for Appalachian scenery and ethnic eats now add Amish sites to their itinerary—making stops for fresh bread, unique crafts, and a slower pace.
From Coal to Crafts: “Hazleton’s Amish community is thriving. You can drive ten minutes from town and find yourself chatting with families selling jams, pies, and home goods right out of their barns”.visittheamish
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025 “Permit Fast Track” program even singled out Hazleton’s new farms and shops as models for community-led rural revitalization, helping entrepreneurs and artisans get started faster than ever.visittheamish
Real Voices: Local & Traveler Reviews
- “I picked up more than a pie—I got a story with every purchase. The owners took time to explain their technique and even passed along a recipe.”
- “Bread so fresh it’s still warm when you buy it. Friendly folks, beautiful countryside, real memories.”
- “Cheese sampler was a hit with our family. We left with bread, apple butter, and a rocking chair. Worth the trip from Scranton.”
- “Community Table dinner was a highlight—hearty food, laughter, and a sense of togetherness you don’t get anywhere else.”
Insider Travel Tips
- Arrive early for best selection at Sunrise Bakery; cinnamon rolls and shoofly pie often sell out before noon.
- Most markets and food stands are cash-only.
- Bring a cooler for cheese, eggs, and baked goods—especially if you’re driving home.
- Photography is welcome for landscapes, barns, and crafts, but always ask permission before taking pictures of families.
- Seasonal events (fall harvest, barn craft fairs, quilt auctions) bring extra festivity to certain weekends.
- Don’t miss bulk noodles, chow chow, soup mixes, and local honey for easy take-home meals.
Why Hazleton’s Amish Community Should Be on Your Bucket List
It’s rare to see authentic traditions take root in places better known for industry and change. Hazleton’s new Amish settlement offers a genuine connection to farm-grown flavors, hand-built beauty, and the friendly spirit of rural Pennsylvania. For foodies, crafters, and seekers of the simple life, these hills hold new treasures—each handshake, loaf of bread, and homemade pie is a taste of enduring heritage.
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- https://visittheamish.com/from-coal-to-crafts-how-hazletons-amish-community-is-thriving/
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