Sparks...question for ya....

a couple gals and I were talking, and one of them mentioned FABULOUS shopping in Lancaster. we all love country/primitive type of stuff. so..is the area truly great for those types of shoppes, or is it the touristy (is that a word? lol) types of stores that just pop up with high prices? I know true Amish quilts and such are worthy of the price, but I'd hate to think we may travel only to find something we could also get in Walmart. alot of places end up like that, not true craftsmanship at all, but rip-off mass production stuff you see all over. how about antique shoppes? thanks!

I don't know about Lancaster but St Jacobs, ON and surrounding area has exactly what you are talking about! The price depends on where you allow yourself to go. If you shop in the heart of St Jacobs you will get touristy prices, but if you go to surrounding smaller stores, especially thrift stores, you find awesome stuff for low prices.

beware the Amish puppy millers tho! Mind who you support when you buy, if that sort of stuff bothers ya

I'm all too aware of Amish puppy millers. sadly..I see them when we travel over to Ohio to a huge flea market. it breaks my heart into a million pieces, and my hubby ALWAYS drags me away. but..not all Amish are puppy mill people, so I wouldn't think that purchasing a quilt would be a big deal. I would never judge an entire group for what some do. so....no.....shopping in Lancaster wouldn't make me feel like I was supporting puppy mills. geez.

My post was general...so not sure what the geez is for but allllrighty then!

the 'geez' was because I am asking about shopping. period. it didn't entail someone bringing up puppy mills. your reply suggested that by purchasing anything from the Amish meant that I'd be supporting puppy mills. 'general' you say? well it didn't sound general. you meant it to be a warning to me about supporting a group of people you feel promotes puppy mills. the 'geez' was because sometimes a post just isn't about dogs. I'm asking about shopping for country/primitive items in Spark's location.

Wow, guys... Debi, Gina was just offering a heads up about puppy mill country, some of which happens to be a part of Amish country. Nothing more, nothing less. It wasn't meant to offend.

Yes, Debi, they have AWESOME stuff. Amazing. Prices aren't necessarily great, it depends upon where you shop, but the last time I was there we went into at least five quilt shops lol.

ETA: I re-read your first post.... yes, there are (or at least there should still be) plenty of places that have 'authentic,' well-made, amish stuff. I'm sure you can find wal-mart grade crap as well, as that tends to accumulate in any tourist area.

Hey Debi...

Yes, there is indeed a lot of what you are looking for around here. Alot of the very good stuff is actually not in Lancaster. I know of a really neat antique mall about 20 mins north of Lancaster in a town called Denver. Also, out east of Lancaster in a town called Gap, there is a lot of what you would like.

Besides those kind of things, there is also a couple of really nice and LARGE outlet malls near here. 2 in Lancaster and another one in Hershey.

I even know of a little "out of the way" hotel you can stay at for less than the places out in the tourist area. So if you do get a hankerin for some shoppin, let us know. LOL

Oh and as for the lecture... What did you expect?

hey...THANKS, Puck!

as for the lecture...I am not sure when it happened, but even a simple shopping question posted in the fire hydrant now brings drama. I was only interested in shopping in Lancaster. and suddenly the Amish are horrible.

this was a simple shopping question posted to Sparks. I don't see that it needed any 'heads up' about puppy mills. don't give me 'nothing more, nothing less'. meant to offend? well...bring up Amish...hear about puppy mills. yeah...I guess it sounded offensive. I WAS ASKING ABOUT SHOPPING. so don't give me that dribble, Nik. I don't need to hear about puppy mills when I'm asking about freakin shopping.

NP... Just let us know if you plan on making a visit. We would LOVE to meet ya.

I make it there...I'll be looking you up. would LOVE to give little Hannah a squeeze!!!

Then next time PM sparks, since it was just to sparks. Good grief. HAVE FUN SHOPPING.

yeah...maybe you're right. I should have just Pm'd Sparks. seems asking a simple SHOPPING question in the hydrant brings about drama. not only from those that feel the need to tell me about puppy mills, but you..Nik..that feels some great need to come on to scold me for reacting. and don't presume to tell me what to do. ...

Oo0oo, should anyone feel so brave as to go up against Great Debi. :lol-sign:

You're the one bringing the drama, you could have ignored the comment that was made, but you didn't. Because I felt it getting out of line, I stepped in to curb any further drama. But, you are the drama, I realize now.. so have fun with it.

Like I said, have fun shopping.

Lots of cattiness in this dog forum

<eddie runs and hides>

of course I didn't ignore the comment. and nobody needed you to step in, Nik. now..if you're feeling a little pissy today......move on to another thread. this is a nice thread. I won't react to your insults of me, I will only acknowledge the wonderful response I asked for..and got from Puck. there was nothing getting 'out of line' here. not in the least. that's just............silly. lol

so..Puck...what is the good deals for staying in your area?

This comment brought on a "geez"????? This is a dog forum, of course dogs will be mentioned since this site is for dog lovers. Seems the OP is the one bringing the drama.....

and this is the hydrant. where we are free to discuss any subject other than dogs. so....why would me asking about shopping..........getting a puppy mill response..........me saying again..IT'S ABOUT SHOPPING....be subject to MY drama? hey guys...this is a dog forum, but sometimes in the hydrant we venture into other subjects. and I will always assume I can do that without some dog drama being brought up. IT'S ABOUT SHOPPING... a simple post. sorry.......next time I WILL PM. you guys are sooooo extreme that we can't even have a fun shopping post.

oh..don't EVEN make this about me. I came on to post a fun subject. paleeeese..........don't EVEN make this about me.