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Community Corner

Columbus Amish Market: A Cultural Primer Before Partaking

Delicious food, hand-crafted furniture and more await in Burlington County.

There is a lot that is not readily understood about the Amish.

Historical re-enactments and roleplaying have been featured occasionally in this column, but sometimes those aspects can desensitize visitors who experience a different culture in a headlong rush. Such may be the case with the Amish section of the Columbus Farmers Market, 2919 Route 206 South, in Columbus, Burlington County.

While the Stoltzfus Barbecue takes up a major portion of the space and attention, the Amish section of this market also features handworked crafts (as well as a selection of Amish-inspired materials), a bakery and candy shop, a delicatessen and even an ice cream and pretzel stand. The food is uniformly good and generously proportioned (a large plate with a full chicken breast, bacon-roasted green beans and new potatoes was only $7).

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The staff is pleasant and helpful. A young woman manning the department specializing in shawls and throw-blankets indicated this section had been a part of the Columbus Farmers Market for more than 16 years. It has also developed a devoted following as long lines to the register and to the dining area seem to attest to.

But again, the elaborate dress for the women and the singularly-styled facial hair of the men are not costumes and gear for the amusement of patrons. These are the lives the Amish lead, based upon a belief in simplicity and discipline, being in a modern world but not of it. This raises a lot of questions.

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However, if you’re not inclined to get too deep and instead just choose to have a great, big meal, they’re fine with that as well. This is why we’ve chosen the Amish section of the Columbus Farmers Market for this installment of Day Tripper, a weekly look at destinations that are out of town, but in reach, and worth the trip.

DAY TRIPPER DIGEST

Estimated Travel Time: 30 Minutes.

Why it’s Worth the Trip:  While it is not an advisable trip for people on strict diets, the Amish section of the Columbus Farmers Market is a place where one can get a large meal of real, recognizable roast chicken, barbecued ribs, smoked turkey legs, kielbasa, and several different vegetables and sides. No, it’s not a belt-on sort of dining experience, but for anyone who has ever wondered what exactly is in a Chicken Nugget from other places, such questions are not necessary here.

How to Get There From Here: Detailed driving directions.

You’ll Probably Get Hungry:  The primary goal of this trip is to eat, but if you’re not inclined to dine in the Amish section, there are several food options in the attached Columbus flea market, and the garden market outside of the main building has a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Otherwise, the facility is based in a somewhat isolated (some would say bucolic) area, and there aren’t other options immediately available.

While you’re in the Area:  Stop by the flea market area and be prepared to do some searching, for you never know what you might find, from Army/Navy memorabilia and gear; wall art and frames; collectable magazines; and a kiosk featuring everything from vintage lunchboxes to a 1983 Burger King “Return of the Jedi” collector’s glass. Get your treasure detectors shined and powered up.

The visitor to the Amish section might need to figure out what is, and is not appropriate, in the company of their hosts. While they are only a short drive away, their culture tends to raise questions for those prepared to ask.

Saloma Furlong was part of her Amish community not once, but twice. She has written about her experiences in a memoir as well as a blog (http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/), which covers all aspects of life among the Amish culture.

The Amish section of the Columbus Farmers Market has modern equipment, refrigeration and even takes credit cards; all things that would seem to run counter to their stated way of life. Furlong described how this separation works. “Most Amish communities, including the one I came from (Geauga County, Ohio) make a big distinction between owning and using certain technologies. For example, they are not allowed to own cars, but they can ride in them (they hire an 'English' driver to take them places where their buggies cannot go). It varies from one community to another as to how much technology they may 'use.' Obviously, the communities these Amish are from allow them to use the above-mentioned things, even though they won't be allowed to own these in their own homes.”

Leslie A. Kelly of Amish.net feels there might be a slight distinction at work. “Perhaps these are not Amish, but Mennonites, or, if Amish, some will be Mennonite and they would be the ones who use the cash register, the credit card machine, but Amish could or would operate the ovens.”

Erik Wesner writes about Amish business matters for amishamerica.com and further explains how Amish businesses cross that cultural divide. “Amish do not have public electricity in their homes or shops (in most cases). Public grid electricity would invite too many temptations into the home (it's easy, and tempting, to plug any type of device into a wall outlet–computer, TV–even if you originally intend to only use it for a toaster).  

How one approaches the Amish, and the degrees of appropriate behavior, is another oft-considered question. “I've never heard of Amish refusing service to someone based on dress, but Amish certainly appreciate modest attire," Wesner said. "Again, you're not going to get turned down, but if you want to show respect, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you left the bikini for the beach. Obviously things that any of us might consider offensive–swearing, etc.–also would be good to avoid.

“The folks who run market stands tend to counter the stereotype we have of Amish people as closed, stoic, unfriendly to outsiders," Wesner continued. "They tend to be more outgoing types, either by nature, or have become that way in response to the demands of a highly customer-oriented business. My general advice is just to treat Amish at the stands–Amish anywhere for that matter–like they are people. Like any people, Amish have a good sense of humor, enjoy conversation and meeting new people, and so on.”

Furlong agreed, saying, “Here is my advice: Remember that the Amish are not a phenomenon, but are human like the rest of us and like to be treated as such. Keep in mind that they don't like to be stared at any more than anyone else. Be respectful and polite. And resist the urge to photograph them, because most Amish do not like to have their pictures taken.”

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