Amish Country Road Trips: Millersburg
Downtown Millersburg is where the country meets Main Street. There's a hitching post for horses outside the courthouse and small businesses dotting both sides of Jackson Street
As the county seat of Holmes County, downtown Millersburg is where the country meets Main Street. There's a hitching post for horses outside the courthouse in the center of town, and the small businesses dotting both sides of Jackson Street offer goods ranging from antiques to craft beer. The village was established in 1865 (although it was originally laid out by Adam Johnson and Charles Miller 50 years earlier), and the Hotel Millersburg dates back to 1847. But the downtown has experienced a comeback in recent years that makes it a worthwhile stop any time you're in the area.
The Colonial Homestead: Dan E. Raber operates a working 1800s-era woodshop and gunsmith business, doing museum-quality restorations of antique furniture and muzzleloaders. Stop by to see what he’s up to and check out the more than 10,000 antique hand tools for woodworking, blacksmithing, leatherwork and other trades. Raber embraces the traditional way of making things and stocks his store with authentic antique items one would need to supply a home in the 1800s. Note: This shop has moved to a new, nearby location. The updated address is 6515 St. Rte. 241, Millersburg 44654, 330/600-9445, theartisansguild.org
Village Antique Emporium: There’s nothing quite like the squeak of an old floorboard as you browse a smorgasbord of antique items, and the Village Antique Emporium’s 1873 building delivers just that. Vintage bicycles, glassware and old books are among the first-floor finds, while the upstairs features brightly colored fishing lures and newspaper front pages from different eras. Be sure to check out the connected toy store that stocks retro board games and other old-school treasures. 113 W. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 330/674-0510
The Jenny Wren: This retail store features local, artisan-made items selected by storeowner Jennifer Miller, who owns the spot with her husband Dan. The shop’s cozy interior is filled with candles, seasonal decor and furniture, with an aim to stock products for a variety of budgets. What’s on the shelves shifts with the seasons, and many items have a country-living feel, from canvas paintings to rustic candleholders. 96 W. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 234/301-9228, thejennywrenhc.com
Olde World Bakery and Bistro: If you’re looking for farm-to-table foods and artisanal breads and pastries, look no further. The breakfast menu here includes stuffed pancakes filled with sausage, apples and cream cheese; cinnamon-swirl French toast; and build-your-own omelets. Lunch and supper bring a lineup of soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. The bakery avoids hydrogenated oils and bleached flour in its from-scratch pies with fruit and cream fillings, and the ice cream sundaes are served with homemade chocolate, caramel and fruit toppings. Berlin location: 4363 St. Rte. 39, Millersburg 44654, 330/893-1077; Millersburg location (temporarily closed as of October 2020): 73 W. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 330/473-6008, oldeworldbakeryandbistro.com
Farmhouse Frocks: This shop creates chic and comfortable, country-inspired clothing for all shapes and sizes. Plus, local Amish seamstresses sew all of the pieces sold here. Clothing styles include urban farmhouse, boho, shabby chic, cottage and prairie styles. The store’s lineup of fashionable accessories features locally sourced cowhide bags and backpacks. Note: Farmhouse Frocks closed in 2023. Follow along on Instagram or visit the website for owner Lena Schlabach's next venture. farmhousefrocks.com
Three Feathers Pewter: One of the last small, family-owned and -operated pewter shops in the United States, this business makes and sells decorative tableware, jewelry, ornaments and more all crafted from lead-free fine pewter. Many of the products reflect an Early American design, and the works have clean lines and simple looks that fit well in a variety of settings, whether you’re using it daily or decorating. 12 E. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 330/674-0404, threefeatherspewter.com
Millersburg Brewing Co.: The brick walls and upcycled decor create a fun and relaxed setting for enjoying the creative craft beers made here. Choose from 20 options, ranging from Lot 21 Blonde (a blonde ale named after the town’s first settlement) to the Beclouded (a hazy IPA). You’ll find live music and karaoke here on the weekends, and the kitchen offers a small menu ranging from nachos and beer cheese to five different panini featuring pork, beef or turkey. 60 E. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 330/674-4728, millersburgbrewing.com
Nearby 3.2 Miles | Modern Farmhouse: This store filled with funky, farmhouse-inspired home decor provides plenty of opportunities to make delightful discoveries as you navigate your way through the space, including quirky items such as saddle chairs and farm-animal-print pillows, canvases and coasters. But the store also connects the past to the present by taking antique pieces and updating and re-creating them in ways that give them a new look and feel. 6584 St. Rte. 39, Millersburg 44654, 330/674-3881
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