Ashery Country Store Bulk Foods welcomes you into their family

There are plenty of reasons to venture to Amish Country. The rolling hills, the serene and simple lifestyle of the Amish community, the wineries and eateries and shops galore dot the highways and byways.

But what truly makes Amish Country so inviting is the way people are treated with generosity and kindness.

Those traits define the staff at Ashery Country Store Bulk Foods near Mt. Hope. Of course, so does the cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables, an extensive deli market, homemade soups, noodles, the Ashery’s own unique blends of snacks and of course Cecil’s smooth and creamy frozen custard.

While named after a small ashery formerly located next to it, one step inside the Ashery Country Store Bulk Foods will instantly alert customers that this is not a place for ashes and lye.

The Ashery will tantalize your taste buds and inspire your creativity in the kitchen, a perfect place to brighten up your days no matter the season, with tastes and aromas that bring a trip to grandma’s house to mind.

While you can’t beat the fresh foods and spices, what sets the Ashery apart from other bulk food stores is the way founder Cecil Yoder built a store that desires to create a friendly family atmosphere.

Cecil always believed that in the time it takes to tie a shoe or tuck your child in to bed, he and his employees could make an enormous first impression on customers.

That sense of bringing joy to those shopping at the Ashery has been passed down to Cecil’s son Curt Yoder, who now manages the store.

Providing quality products is crucial, but investing in the lives of customers and making a shopping trip feel less like a chore and more like visiting family is something the Yoders deeply believe is worthwhile.

“There is a very short window of opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives, sometimes as little as 30 seconds,” said Curt Yoder, who along with his wife Rhonda has owned and operated Ashery Country Store Bulk Foods since 2005.

“We can impact a person’s day, no matter what kind of day they are having. We want them to leave here with a smile. To us, that is of the utmost importance. There is a quaintness that makes this an experience.”

The Ashery also gives patrons plenty of events to make their experience even more enjoyable. At the end of January there is a huge winter sale that keeps kitchens packed with everything needed to bake and cook your way through those bleak winter days. March features maple syrup cooking demonstrations and May could find them preparing their popular graduation party meat, cheese and fruit trays.

Each season brings with it a whole new explosion of fresh fruit and vegetables, from strawberries and peaches to green beans, cabbage and corn. A huge baking sale in mid-November provides everything a person could want for that exquisite Thanksgiving meal. A basket of fresh spices, bakery needs and snack mixes makes a perfect Christmas present.

In essence, every season is Ashery season, where incredible taste and great hospitality are an everyday occurrence.

Ashery Country Store Bulk Foods is located at 8922 SR 241, two miles north of Mount Hope. Call the store at 330-359-5615, or visit them on the web at: www.asherycountrystore.com.