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Somewhere along a busy Ohio highway near Bellefontaine, shoppers walk out of an Amish-run store with carts so full they need a second trip to the car. Inside are wheat berries, chicken coops, candy-making supplies, onion starts, and rows of spices that big chain grocers usually skip.
Some people drive over an hour just to stock up, and a few have been coming back for decades. Keep reading to learn what fills those carts, when the doors open, how payment works, and why this family-run spot in Logan County has such a loyal following.
A Country Store on US-68
The place behind all those overflowing carts is Country Variety Store & Bakery. It sits at 6263 US-68, Bellefontaine, OH 43311, in the rolling farm country of Logan County, Ohio.
The store is Amish owned and family run. It works as a supermarket, a bakery, a deli, a dry goods shop, and a garden supply stop all under one roof.
Out front, the lawn often doubles as a showroom. Outdoor furniture, gazebos, and chicken coops line up outside, so the shopping starts before anyone reaches the door.
The building itself is not huge. Still, it is packed with goods, and that is part of its charm.
Regular shoppers describe it as a place where a quick errand turns into a full browse. One aisle leads to the next, and the list in your pocket suddenly feels too short.
Route 68 makes it easy to find. The highway is a familiar drive for locals heading through Bellefontaine, and many travelers passing through Logan County make it a planned stop rather than a lucky detour.
The address may be simple, but the inventory is anything but ordinary.
Decades of Loyal Shoppers
Loyalty is the first clue that something special is going on here. Some shoppers say they have been coming for decades, and others call it a must-stop whenever they visit Logan County.
That kind of track record does not happen by accident. It comes from steady quality, fair prices on many items, and a family that treats regulars like neighbors.
Several people drive a long way to shop. One longtime customer makes the trip well over an hour each way just for the baked goods.
Another comes a fair distance mainly for the dry goods. The theme is clear: people plan their routes around this store.
The store currently holds a 4.7-star average on Google from more than 170 people. That is a strong showing for a small country shop on a rural highway.
Families also turn trips into traditions. Grandparents bring grandkids, and sisters-in-law bring the whole crew along.
The general store feel plays a big part too. Many describe it as a glimpse of how shopping used to work, when the person behind the counter knew your name and the shelves held what a household actually needed.
That old-fashioned pull keeps the parking lot busy on open days.
The Bakery in the Back
Timing matters at the rear of the building. The bakery sits in the back of the store, and early birds have the clear advantage.
Fresh baked goods are made daily. Even so, popular items can sell out, so arriving early is the smart move.
Pies show up on the shelves, and the homemade honey wheat bread has earned a devoted following. It often disappears within a day or two.
Cookies are another favorite. Some shoppers order them for holiday parties and admit they outshine their own home baking.
Here is a handy detail many people miss. The bakery takes phone orders for baked goods, which helps anyone planning a gathering or driving in from far away.
A selection of religious books also sits in the bakery area. It is a small touch, but it fits the family-run spirit of the place.
The bakery is the most talked-about part of the store. Among all the topics people mention, it comes up more than anything else on the list.
So if the cart has room for only one more thing, the back wall is where most regulars head. The rest of the shop can wait a few minutes.
Deli Counter Bargains
Lunch meat is the quiet star that keeps many families coming back. The deli counter is small but busy, and shoppers often call its prices incredible.
Quality gets as much praise as cost. Many say the meats and cheeses are high grade and often cheaper than at big chain stores.
That combination is a rare one. Most people expect to trade quality for savings, but this counter seems to offer both.
Even shoppers who find some items a little pricey say the deli more than makes up for it. That is a strong vote of confidence from people who watch their budgets.
The counter also carries general grocery basics. Milk and eggs are available, so a stop here can cover more than one errand.
Farm-raised eggs have been especially popular. At one point they sold for two dollars a dozen, though prices can change over time.
Deli meat ranks near the top of what people bring up about this store. It is mentioned again and again alongside the bakery.
Bring a cooler if the drive home is long. A deli haul this good deserves a safe ride back.
A Serious Cheese Lineup
Cheese lovers, take note. The selection here goes far beyond the usual plastic-wrapped cheddar.
Farmer’s cheese gets a personal recommendation from regulars. Smoked cheese also earns high praise, with some calling it a highlight of the whole store.
Cheese curds make the list too. One family stopping through Logan County picked them up along with onion starts and chocolate, which sounds like a well-balanced shopping trip.
Guggisberg Swiss is another name that shows up on the shelves. Shoppers note it comes at a great price.
Locally made cheeses add to the mix. That local angle is part of what separates this counter from a standard supermarket case.
Many people simply say they love all of the cheese. It is hard to argue with that kind of enthusiasm.
The variety makes it easy to try something new on each visit. A smart plan is to grab one familiar favorite and one wild card.
Paired with the deli meats, the cheese section can cover lunches, snack boards, and holiday trays. Just remember that a cart can fill up fast once the cheese case comes into view.
Bulk Goods and Baking Supplies
Home bakers tend to slow down in these aisles. The store carries a very large selection of bulk goods, already packaged and priced for easy shopping.
Wheat berries are a big draw for people who grind their own flour. Bulk mixes cover lots of kitchen projects, from baking to soups.
Noodles and soup mixes sit alongside the baking basics. Everything is set up so shoppers can grab what they need without scooping or weighing.
Candy-making supplies are a standout. Many big grocery stores barely carry them, but here they get real shelf space.
The kitchen help does not stop at ingredients. There is an array of baking pans and dishes, which means a recipe can go from idea to oven with one stop.
Canning supplies round out the section. Some longtime shoppers buy all of their baking, canning, and spice needs here.
The prices on dry goods are a common reason people drive in. Good value on high-quality items is a phrase that fits this part of the store well.
Anyone who stocks a pantry the old-fashioned way will feel right at home. Bring a list, then expect to add to it.
Spices by the Shelf
Tired of paying a small fortune for one tiny jar of seasoning? The spice section here is a welcome change.
Tons of herbs and spices fill the shelves. It is one of the most frequently mentioned features of the store, right behind the bakery and deli.
The variety helps cooks who like to experiment. It also helps anyone who goes through the basics quickly and wants larger amounts.
Regulars who do a lot of home cooking often make this aisle a standard part of every trip. Restocking the spice rack here feels practical rather than pricey.
The spices also connect to the rest of the store. Paired with the bulk goods, canning supplies, and baking tools, they help make the shop a full kitchen outfitter.
For canners in particular, having spices and jars in the same building saves an extra stop. That kind of convenience adds up during busy seasons.
Labels make browsing easy, and staff are glad to answer questions. Asking where something is tends to get a friendly, helpful reply.
A spice rack refill may not sound exciting at first. After one visit, though, plenty of shoppers start planning the next one.
Candy You Rarely See Elsewhere
Sweet tooth alert. The candy section carries treats that many shoppers say they do not see for sale in many other places.
Some describe it as every kind of candy you can think of. That is a bold claim, and the shelves make a good case for it.
Chocolate is part of the lineup. It often ends up in carts next to far more practical items, which is completely understandable.
The candy aisle is a favorite stop for families with kids. It is also popular with adults who remember old-fashioned treats from childhood.
Hard-to-find candy pairs well with the candy-making supplies elsewhere in the store. Shoppers can buy a finished treat or the tools to make their own.
Candy is among the regular topics people bring up about the store. It shows how much the small extras matter here.
A bag or two makes a fun souvenir for anyone passing through Logan County. It also works as a small gift for neighbors back home.
Set a budget before entering this aisle. Otherwise, the candy might quietly take over the cart while nobody is watching.
Seeds, Feed, and Chicken Coops
Not every cart leaves with only groceries. Some shoppers head home with seeds, animal feed, and even plans for a backyard flock.
Flower and vegetable seeds are sold here. Onion starts show up too, which makes spring visits especially useful for gardeners.
Animal feed sits on the shelves as well. For rural households, that is one less stop at a separate farm store.
Then there are the chicken coops. They are displayed outside, and they are one of the more unusual items a grocery shopper can find.
Fresh fruit and vegetables appear in season. Several kinds of apples arrive when the time is right, and many people look forward to them every year.
Peaches have also been sold here. Produce can vary, and one shopper was disappointed by a batch that seemed less fresh than expected, so checking before buying a full box is wise.
Decorative lawn items and signs add a homey touch to the outdoor selection. Crafts are available too.
Between the garden supplies and the coops, this store serves homesteaders as much as home cooks. Few supermarkets can say the same.
Furniture, Knives, and Buggy Repair
A grocery stop that sells gazebos is not something most towns can offer. Outside the store, a large selection of outdoor furniture fills the lawn.
Handmade outdoor pieces, patio furniture, composite furniture, and rocking chairs are all part of the display. Amish-made furniture is a key part of what the business offers.
Some fans say the outdoor furniture here is the best around. Others find it pricey compared with Amish furniture in states like Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
That mix of opinions is useful for buyers. Comparing prices before a big purchase is a sensible step.
Inside, the store carries a great selection of Rada knives. They are a practical find for anyone stocking a kitchen.
Buggy repair service is also part of the operation. It is a reminder that this store serves the local Amish community as well as everyday shoppers.
Signs and decorative pieces complete the home section. They make easy add-ons to a cart already heavy with pantry goods.
Furniture shoppers should bring measurements and maybe a truck. A rocking chair does not fit in every trunk.
Friendly Faces and a Family Feel
Kindness may be the store’s most valuable product. Friendly staff come up again and again, and the owners are often described as welcoming and hospitable.
Employees are nice and willing to answer questions. Personal service is a big reason some people shop here often.
Sometimes the staff sings while working. Shoppers describe it as beautiful and relaxing, which is not something most checkout lines can offer.
Families with kids will find extra reasons to linger. Children have been welcome to play on the outdoor slides while adults relax on the lawn furniture.
Some lucky guests have even met the owners’ horses and kittens. That kind of moment turns a supply run into a story for the ride home.
A note on etiquette helps here. The family appreciates modesty, so dressing appropriately is a respectful choice.
The atmosphere suits home bakers, canners, gardeners, and families looking for a slower pace. It also suits road-trippers who enjoy small local businesses.
Not every guest leaves thrilled with every price. Still, the warmth of the people behind the counter is one thing almost everyone seems to agree on.
Hours, Payment, and a Soft Verdict
Plan ahead, because the schedule here is not the usual seven days a week. The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Saturday hours run from 8 am to 4 pm. The store is closed on Tuesday and Sunday, so double-check the day before driving out.
Cash is preferred, which is where the cash-only reputation comes from. Checks and credit cards have also been accepted, but bringing cash keeps things simple.
Getting there is easy along US-68 near Bellefontaine. The highway location makes it a natural stop on trips through Logan County.
Prices get mixed comments. Many items, especially deli meats, cheeses, and dry goods, are seen as great value, while some products and outdoor furniture feel pricey to certain shoppers.
Arrive early for the best bakery choices. Calling ahead for baked goods orders can also save a wasted trip.
So is it worth the drive? For anyone who loves bulk pantry goods, hard-to-find candy, and a family-run general store experience, the answer looks like yes.
Just grab a big cart at the door. Chances are, it will be full by the time the shopping list runs out.
