Amish Country Store Celebrates Its 14th Year in Business

Stuart Opp and his wife, opened he in Largo 14 years ago because they wanted to share the Amish culture they grew up around back home in Pennsylvania. Opp's wife grew up in Pennisylvania in a town with strong Amish roots, he said. 

They opened their doors for the first time in 1997, and since then it's become a popular spot to have a sandwich or go grocery shopping for items not found in popular grocery stores. Some of the characteristics traits of Amish food is farmed grown food produced without the use of modern technology. Amongst their most popular items are fresh bread, syrup and fruit pies.

Opp said when they first opened the Amish store in Largo they knew it would create revenue, but they never thought it would be a place so fruitful. The house converted into a store to resemble an Amish barn is one-of-a-kind. It has a wide array of Pennsylvania Dutch and Ohio Amish foods, such as deli meats from Kunzler & Groff’s, lebanon bologna, jellies and preserves.

“We have established a business relation with several authentic Amish businesses up North, some of our products are made by Amish families,” Opp said.

The Amish Country Store also has a large selection of candies, sweets and sodas, from Kutztown Birch beer to Tastykake Kandykakes.  According to Opp the first part of the store resembles mostly a candy store a few souvenir items for sale, from Amish made brooms to Amish books and at the back of the store is located the deli and food items.

“Customers enjoy coming in and looking around the store, it’s very colorful and lots of things to see,” Opp explained.

Opp attributes the success of his business to providing great customer service while keeping his prices very competitive. He believes in repeat business and continuously making his customer happy by providing fresh products and keeping his store welcoming.

“We have about three thousand customers on the mailing list, people come from all over the state to shop at our store,” Opp said.