The Road Less Traveled: Discovering Central Pennsylvania’s Hidden Plain Communities
When most people think of “Amish Country” in Pennsylvania, their minds immediately drift to the rolling hills of Lancaster County. They picture tour buses, massive buffet complexes, and outlet malls sitting uncomfortably close to cornfields. But for those willing to venture further north and west, deep into the heart of the Keystone State, a different kind of Plain community awaits.
Central Pennsylvania—specifically the Kishacoquillas Valley (known locally as “Big Valley”) in Mifflin County and the Buffalo Valley in Union County—offers an experience that is far less commercial and significantly more authentic. Here, the buggies might be yellow (a distinctive trait of the Byler Amish) or white (the Nebraska Amish), rather than the standard gray or black found in Lancaster. The roads are quieter, the mountains are steeper, and the businesses are designed primarily for the locals, not the tourists.
If you are looking for a connection to the simple life without the crowds, here are three must-visit Amish and Mennonite businesses in Central Pennsylvania that define the region’s character.
1. Peight’s Country Store (Belleville)
If you want to understand the heartbeat of Big Valley, you start at Peight’s. Located just outside the town of Belleville, Peight’s Country Store serves as the unofficial department store for the local Amish population. It is a sprawling, no-nonsense establishment that sells everything a homestead needs to function.
Walking into Peight’s is a sensory shift. The floors are polished concrete or simple tile, and the lighting is functional. The first thing you’ll notice is the footwear department, which stocks an immense variety of muck boots, work shoes, and the specific black bonnets and straw hats worn by the local orders. But venture deeper, and you find a grocery store that puts chain supermarkets to shame.
The bulk food aisle is the star here. You can buy flour, oats, sugar, and spices in quantities ranging from a few ounces to fifty-pound sacks. The prices are incredibly low, and the turnover is high, ensuring freshness. The deli counter in the back serves up thick-cut meats and cheeses that are a fraction of the cost you’d pay in a city, often sourced from local farms.
What the locals say:
Reviews for Peight’s often highlight its utility and authenticity. One Google Local Guide wrote, “This is the real deal. No tourist traps here. Just great prices on bulk spices, baking supplies, and the best deli meat in the valley. If you need a winter hat or a bag of candy melting wafers, this is where you go. It’s where the locals shop.” Another visitor noted, “I love just walking through and seeing the different buggy groups interacting. It’s a community hub. Plus, their homemade root beer extract is a game changer.”
Location:
Peight’s Country Store, 136 Peights Store Ln, Belleville, PA 17004
2. Brookside Pantry (Reedsville)
On the other end of Big Valley, tucked away near Reedsville, sits Brookside Pantry. While smaller than Peight’s, this Mennonite-run market punches well above its weight class when it comes to baked goods. It is the kind of place you might drive past if you aren’t looking for the modest sign, but once you find it, you’ll be a regular.
Brookside is famous for its “donut days.” On specific mornings (usually Fridays and Saturdays), the smell of frying dough wafts down the road, acting as a siren song for locals. These aren’t the air-filled, overly sweet donuts of national chains; these are dense, yeast-raised masterpieces often glazed while still hot.
Beyond the bakery, Brookside Pantry offers a meticulously curated selection of jams, jellies, and pickled goods. Their shelves are lined with jars of chow-chow (a tangy vegetable relish), pickled beets, and peaches that look like they were canned yesterday. The store also carries a range of gluten-free baking supplies, catering to modern dietary needs while maintaining traditional quality.
What the locals say:
The bakery gets the lion’s share of the praise. “The donuts at Brookside are dangerous,” jokes one frequent customer on Facebook. “I stopped in for a loaf of white bread and left with a dozen glazed. They are heavy, yeasty, and perfect.” Another reviewer praised the deli: “Best chipped ham in Mifflin County. The ladies behind the counter are so sweet and they slice it exactly how you ask. It’s a gem of a store.”
Location:
Brookside Pantry, 75 Brookside Dr, Reedsville, PA 17084
3. Buffalo Valley Country Store (Mifflinburg)
Crossing over the mountain ridges into Union County brings you to the Buffalo Valley, an area of stunning agricultural beauty. Here, the Buffalo Valley Country Store stands as a landmark on Old Turnpike Road. Housed in a large, barn-like structure, this store bridges the gap between a bulk food market and a destination deli.
The deli here is legendary among the workforce in Mifflinburg. At lunchtime, you will see construction trucks parked next to buggies, all waiting for the made-to-order hoagies. The bread is baked fresh daily—soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold generous piles of turkey, roast beef, and Swiss cheese.
For the home cook, the Buffalo Valley Country Store is a treasure trove. They stock hard-to-find baking ingredients, such as clear jel (essential for fruit pie fillings), specialized sprinkles, and every type of nut imaginable. The store also features a “bent and dent” section where thrifty shoppers can find deeply discounted groceries, a practice common in Plain community stores that emphasizes waste reduction.
What the locals say:
Travelers often stumble upon this store and make it a permanent waypoint. “We found this place by accident while driving the back roads to Penn State,” reads a TripAdvisor review. “Now we stop every single time. The hoagies are huge and cost half of what we pay in Philly. The whoopie pies are the size of your head.” A local resident adds, “It’s clean, bright, and smells amazing. The staff is efficient and friendly. It’s the best place in Union County for bulk snacks.”
Location:
Buffalo Valley Country Store, 22665 Old Turnpike Rd, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
The Verdict
Central Pennsylvania offers a version of Amish Country that feels untouched by the commercialization found elsewhere. A trip to Peight’s, Brookside, or Buffalo Valley isn’t just a shopping excursion; it is a lesson in value, quality, and community. Whether you are stocking your pantry with bulk oats or eating a donut on the tailgate of your truck, the experience is undeniably real.
