The Stunning Craft Fabric Store Hidden Inside A Historic Pennsylvania Building
More than 6,000 bolts of fabric fill a brick building that first opened as a general store in 1833. That’s a lot of cotton for one old address.
Quilters, take a deep breath.
The original store burned in 1881. It came back in brick, three stories tall, and it still stands proudly today.
An old elevator that once hauled grain and hardware from the basement is still preserved inside.
This spot sits in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country, where horse-drawn buggies roll past the front porch.
Many of the staff members are skilled sewists and quilters themselves. I like how the place feels useful and beautiful at the same time.
Hand-stitched quilts hang nearby, some representing hundreds of hours of careful work. I can’t imagine leaving without at least a fat quarter.
Can you?
A Brick Survivor With A Fiery Backstory
Jacob Wenger built a general store here in 1833, and it became the oldest store in the village.
Today it’s known as The Old Country Store, and it still sells fabric under the same roof line.
Back then, locals came for clothing, housewares, appliances, and fabric. Basically, it was the one-stop shop before anyone said one-stop shop.
Then came 1881, when fire destroyed the original building. The owners rebuilt quickly, this time in sturdy brick.
Smart move, right?
That brick version still stands three stories tall today. Over the years, it housed an antique shop and a quilt shop before its current chapter began.
In 1978, the building officially became The Old Country Store. The focus was handmade Amish and Mennonite quilts and crafts, with fabric and sewing supplies added soon after.
I love that the building never strayed far from its first job. It still serves practical needs, just with a lot more batik involved.
Keep that history in mind as you approach the entrance. The worn doors and steps carry nearly two centuries of footsteps, and you’re about to add yours to the pile.
Six Thousand Bolts Will Test Your Willpower
Over 6,000 bolts of fabric line the shelves here.
That number sounds fake until you start counting colors and give up around aisle two.
The selection runs from Kaffe Fassett prints to batiks and reproduction fabrics. Fans of bold florals and fans of old-fashioned calico can both leave happy.
Better Homes and Gardens’ Quilt Sampler Magazine once named it one of the 10 best quilt shops in the United States.
It has also won multiple regional awards in the Local Quilt Shop Contest.
That reputation isn’t just about quantity. The shelves also hold notions, patterns, kits, and quilt books for nearly every kind of project.
A smart plan helps here. Bring photos of your project, or snip a little swatch from fabric you’re matching at home.
Write down your measurements before you leave the house too. Guessing yardage while surrounded by gorgeous prints is a risky game.
Of course, plans have limits. You may arrive needing one coordinating blue and walk out with a stack for three future quilts.
Nobody here will judge you for that, and honestly, it’s sort of the whole point.
Hundreds Of Hours Live Inside Every Stitch
Some hand-stitched Amish quilts here represent 400 to 600 hours of work.
Think about that the next time a project feels slow. The Old Country Store carries a wide array of locally made, hand-quilted quilts.
Many come from Amish and Mennonite artisans in the surrounding community. Quilts often appear in the front windows too.
They work like a free gallery for anyone strolling along the sidewalk.
Up close, the tiny, even stitches tell the real story. Every curve and line came from a needle guided by patient hands, not a machine.
For quilters, these pieces can spark ideas for color, layout, and stitch patterns. For everyone else, they’re simply amazing to admire.
Buying one is a bigger decision, so take your time. Ask staff about the pattern, size, and care, since many of them have deep sewing and quilting experience.
Measure your bed before your trip if you’re serious. A beautiful quilt that drapes perfectly feels like a family treasure.
One that’s too small just feels like an expensive tablecloth.
Old Floors And An Elevator With A Past
Wooden floors greet you the moment you head inside.
They give the whole store a classic country feel that new shops can’t fake.
Then there’s the elevator in the adjoining building east of the store. Long ago, it lifted grain and hardware up from the basement, and it’s still preserved today.
That’s a fascinating detail from the property’s past, even if it isn’t part of the usual fabric-shopping route. Kids might find the story more exciting than the batiks, and that’s fair.
The building’s exterior adds to the mood too. Its grand three-story brick facade has doors and steps worn smooth by generations of shoppers.
I believe those little marks of age are part of the charm. They remind you that people have bought supplies here since long before sewing machines had motors.
Look up and around as you browse. Old buildings reward slow eyes with small clues about how they were once used.
The store also spreads across several rooms, each with its own mix of goods.
Wandering from one to the next feels a bit like exploring an attic that somebody very organized has filled with good stuff.
Sewing Classes That Welcome Beginners And Kids
Want to make the quilt instead of just admiring one? The store offers sewing and quilting classes for every skill level.
Classes take place in dedicated classrooms. Each space comes equipped with Bernina sewing machines, irons, cutting tables, and design walls.
That setup matters more than it sounds. You don’t need to haul your own machine across Pennsylvania just to learn a new block.
Topics cover a range of techniques and projects. Some sessions focus on quilting basics, while others tackle specific skills or finished pieces.
Younger sewists get attention too. Special kids’ classes are available for ages 10 to 14, which is a great age to discover a lifelong hobby.
My tip is simple. Check the class schedule well before your trip, since popular sessions can fill up.
Read the supply list carefully once you sign up. Showing up with the right fabric and tools means more time stitching and less time borrowing pins from a stranger.
And when class ends, the massive fabric selection is right there, waiting to tempt you into your next project.
The Loft Turns A Trip Into A Retreat
May 2024 brought a big addition called The Loft. It’s a quilt retreat center that sits right above the store’s classroom building.
Retreat guests get private sewing spaces with Bernina machines. Attendees also receive a shopping discount, which feels dangerous in the best way.
A retreat is a little different from a class. Instead of following a set lesson, you usually bring your own projects and finally finish them.
That makes The Loft a great choice for quilting groups or friends who sew together. Picking a weekend and booking ahead keeps everyone on the same page.
The timing of the opening is meaningful too. It arrived the same month owners Dean and Jan Mast celebrated 10 years with the store.
The Masts and their partners bought and reopened The Old Country Store in 2014. Since then, they’ve continued its long traditions while adding fresh ways to sew and gather.
I like that growth didn’t mean losing character. The store kept its old bones and simply made more room for people who love making things by hand.
Jams, Gadgets, And Gifts From 350 Local Makers
Not a quilter? No problem at all.
Fabric is the star, but the supporting cast is huge.
The store sells handcrafted products from more than 350 local artisans. Many of those makers are Amish and Mennonite craftspeople.
Shelves hold handmade soaps, books, toys, collectibles, and pillows. You’ll also find locally preserved foods like jams and relish.
The kitchen section deserves its own detour. It’s packed with tempting and useful wares and gadgets that are popular with local Mennonite cooks.
That’s a pretty strong endorsement for a vegetable peeler. If it’s good enough for cooks who feed big families daily, it’s probably good enough for your Tuesday dinner.
This part of the store makes gift shopping easy. A jar of jam or a bar of handmade soap fits nicely in a suitcase.
Plus, buying from local makers supports the families who keep these crafts alive. That’s a souvenir with a story attached, which beats a random fridge magnet every single time.
Buggies Roll By While History Waits Outside
Horse-drawn buggies pass right in front of the store’s porch.
Sitting there for a few minutes might become your favorite part of the day.
The atmosphere aims for a simpler way of life. That porch makes it easy to slow down and actually notice your surroundings.
On the west side of the building, the Story Walk offers another treat. Signs share the town’s history and key moments along the path.
It’s a quick, free history lesson that doesn’t feel like homework. Kids can read the signs while adults pretend they aren’t checking their fabric bags.
The village has a rich past and sits among fertile farmland. Local produce and a slower pace are part of everyday life here.
Drivers should stay alert, though. Buggies share the roads, so patience and extra space are a must.
I can’t imagine a better setting for a fabric shop.
The quilts inside and the farm scenes outside tell the same story about craft, family, and careful work done one stitch or one hoofbeat at a time.
Plan Around Sundays And Late Thursdays
Thursday is the night owl’s day here. The store stays open until 9 p.m. that evening.
Other days run on a steady rhythm. Monday through Wednesday, plus Friday and Saturday, hours go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays are closed, matching a common practice among many Amish-owned businesses nearby. Plan your quilt shopping for another day of the weekend.
You’ll find The Old Country Store at 3510 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534. That road is also Route 340, the main route through the village.
Intercourse sits in Lancaster County, often called the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country. The store stays open year-round, so any season works.
Can’t make the drive soon? Two online shops offer fabric, quilting products, and quilts to customers around the world.
Still, the in-person trip has perks a screen can’t match. You get the creaky history, the buggies, and the chance to touch every bolt.
My advice is to block out more time than you think you’ll need. Fabric shoppers already know why.