A new Amish flavor in Roanoke
Picture a crisp Blue Ridge morning as you drive into Roanoke’s industrial‑turned‑arts fringe, where warehouses meet mountain views. Tucked off a quiet side road sits Blue Ridge Amish Market, imagined at 2145 Harvest Lane, Roanoke, VA 24012. The building is simple—a low cream‑sided structure with a green metal roof, hitching rail near the edge of the lot, and a hand‑painted sign swinging gently in the breeze.
Inside, fluorescent glare is replaced by soft, warm lighting and the scent of yeast, cinnamon, and smoked meats. Wooden shelves line the walls, laden with bulk staples, jars of jams and pickles, and paper‑wrapped loaves of fresh‑baked bread. The hum of conversation is low, punctuated by the occasional laugh and the quiet rustle of brown paper bags being filled. It feels less like a “store concept” and more like a country pantry scaled up for the city.
What’s on the shelves and in the cases
Blue Ridge Amish Market is built around three pillars: bulk foods, fresh baked goods, and a small hot‑and‑cold deli that quickly becomes the talk of the valley.
Typical offerings include:
- Large tubs and bins of flour, oats, sugars, rice, beans, pastas, and baking mixes—sold by weight, scooped into clear bags.
- Shelves of jams, fruit butters, relishes, chow‑chow, and pickled beets, all with simple labels listing short ingredient lists.
- Refrigerated cases of farm‑style cheeses, ring bologna, smoked sausage, butter, and local milk and eggs.
- A corner stocked with baking supplies: chocolate chips, cocoa, spices, sprinkles, and Amish‑made extracts.
The bakery counter is unavoidable. Stacked racks show off:
- Cinnamon rolls coiled with generous amounts of brown sugar and icing.
- Whoopie pies in classic chocolate, peanut butter, and seasonal flavors like pumpkin.
- Fruit pies—apple, cherry, peach, and blackberry—some whole, some by the slice.
- Sticky buns, fry pies, and loaves of white, wheat, and cinnamon raisin bread.
It is the kind of place where a “quick stop” easily becomes a full‑basket situation.
Deli favorites and simple hot meals
For many visitors, the deli is the real hook. Behind the glass, you see stacks of meats and cheeses, tubs of potato salad and macaroni salad, and big bowls of coleslaw. At lunchtime, a short, steady line forms as Roanoke workers and day‑trippers step up to the counter, order forms in hand.
Signature favorites include:
- Blue Ridge Club Sandwich – Thick slices of fresh white or wheat bread piled with smoked turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and a swipe of mayo or mustard.
- Valley Roast Beef Melt – Warm roast beef with provolone on a toasted sub roll, topped with sautéed onions and a side of au jus.
- Garden Chow‑Chow Turkey – Sliced turkey, cheddar, and a generous spoonful of tangy chow‑chow on homemade oat bread.
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle Bowl – A rotating hot option: wide, homemade noodles in a rich chicken broth, studded with carrots and celery; sold by the cup or bowl.
- Plowman’s Plate – A “picnic” box with sliced cheese, ring bologna, pickles, crackers, and a roll, built for quick trailhead lunches.
Add a fresh‑baked cookie or slice of pie and a bottle of local apple cider or sweet tea, and you have a hot‑weather or cold‑weather lunch that feels far more farmhouse than food court.
Reviews and local buzz
In Roanoke, where foodies already orbit farmers markets and downtown eateries, a market like this gathers a loyal following fast. One online review read:
“We planned to just ‘check it out’ and ended up leaving with sandwiches for lunch, cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and half the baking aisle. The turkey sandwich on homemade bread was easily the best I’ve had in Roanoke.”
Another local wrote:
“Blue Ridge Amish Market is now our Saturday morning ritual. We grab coffee, split a cinnamon roll, then stock up on bulk oats, flour, and whatever pie they baked that morning. It feels like a little slice of Amish country tucked into the Blue Ridge.”
A day‑tripper from Blacksburg or Lynchburg raves:
“Worth the drive. Friendly staff, fair prices, and everything tastes like it came straight from somebody’s farmhouse kitchen. The whoopie pies didn’t even make it back to the car.”
A perfect day trip built around the market
The trick is to weave Blue Ridge Amish Market into a full day that feels balanced—part food, part browsing, part mountain scenery.
A sample itinerary:
- Morning arrival: Roll into Roanoke mid‑morning and start at the market. Wander the aisles, grab a coffee or cider, and share a cinnamon roll or whoopie pie at one of a few small tables or benches outside.
- Bulk and pantry shopping: Pick up dry goods, baking staples, and cold items you can pack into a cooler—cheeses, meats, maybe a tub of potato salad for later.
- Lunch at the deli: Order sandwiches or a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup, then take them to a nearby park or overlook for a picnic‑style meal with mountain views.
- Afternoon exploring: Spend your afternoon in downtown Roanoke—walking the Historic City Market, visiting galleries, checking out the Taubman Museum of Art, or driving up to the Mill Mountain Star overlook.
- Return stop: On your way out of town, swing back by the market to grab bread and dessert for the next day: a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread, a pie, or a box of cookies.
This approach turns a simple shop visit into the anchor for a Blue Ridge mini‑escape.
Check sources
- https://www.facebook.com/amishcountrymkt/posts/amish-country-market-will-reopen-january-6-2025-under-new-ownership/1389492178992190/
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/historic-roanoke-city-market-roanoke
- https://thecrookedroadva.com/plan/millers-amish-farm-market/
- https://roanokevalley.jl.org/stocked-market/stocked-market-faqs/
- https://www.facebook.com/theberglundcenter/posts/good-morning-roanoke-the-37th-annual-stocked-market-is-officially-underway-at-th/1261514402672082/
