Our Main Antique Showroom

Our Main Antique Showroom
Housed in Post Civil War Era Barn

Welcome, Ohio Travelers!

Planning a trip to Ohio Amish country? A stop at our family-owned shop, Spies Farms Antiques, in Dover, Ohio is a must. When you see our two big showrooms of one-of-a-kind antiques, you'll be sure to find special yet affordable treasures that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Your friends will wonder where you found unique, well-made pieces like these for such a good value. Items we frequently have in stock include antique solid wood tables (e.g. harvest, dining, library, etc.), various styles of antique wooden chairs, antique sideboards, dressers and chests of drawers, antique store counters, antique shutters, doors and mirrors, enamelware and other old-time kitchen items, as well as rustic accents such as lanterns, coal buckets and old farming tools. Our family constantly searches throughout Ohio Amish country, selecting and procuring unusual, rare finds – virtual “buried treasures” that have often been tucked away for over a century.

Our main antique shop is housed in our old barn (built in the 1800s) which has been in our family for 4 generations. The post Civil War barn is in its original state, with beams made from hand-hewn logs – it even contains some wooden nails, so the shop itself is something to see. Don’t miss our auxiliary building which holds some of the larger furniture items plus unusual finds like antique rug looms, work benches and cider presses. The newest addition to Spies Farms Antiques is our authentic log cabin, originally built in southern Tuscarawas County, which our family “rescued” and painstakingly moved and rebuilt, log by hand-hewn log, near the main antique showrooms. When you visit, take a peek inside the cabin at the old-style chinking in the log walls, the restored original wooden floors on both the ground floor and the second floor loft, and the working stone fireplace that we rebuilt by hand with stones from local farm fields.

Getting to Spies Farms Antiques is easy – we’re located at 2694 State Route 39, about 1 mile west of the Interstate 77 Dover exit, heading towards the heart of Ohio Amish country e.g. Sugarcreek, Walnut Creek, Berlin and Millersburg. (Note: Ohio is home to the largest Amish/Mennonite population in the entire world). Our hours are: March - September and November: Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 8:00 - 5:30, and by appointment. October: Mon. - Sat. 8:00 - 5:30.  December - February, open as weather permits.

Many of our customers seem to think we’re worth a repeat visit – we regularly have visitors to Spies Farms Antiques from across the nation, all the way from Washington State to Florida to Texas and everywhere in between – plus Canada, so we think they must appreciate both our wide selection of antiques as well as the friendly conversation and our “insider” advice on local attractions.  Especially in these times of high gas prices, we know you want to make your trip to Ohio Amish country as memorable and worthwhile as possible, so check this site often; we'll be offering our suggestions for other interesting places and events in the local area, plus updates from the antique shop.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Spice Up Your Holiday

You’ve probably heard that old saying “sugar and spice and everything nice.” Well, as we journey through November and approach the Thanksgiving holiday, our thoughts turn to family and food and blessings untold. Here at Spies Farms “Antiques and Stuff,” we have much to be thankful for. Over the past year we’ve met hundreds of wonderful folks from all across this great country of ours. They like to chat and are especially interested in Grandpa’s restored log cabin. The one-on-one dialogue with our customers is one reason why our shop is different than most. If we don’t have the specific item that you’re looking for, we try to direct you to some one who might have it.
Right now we have a great selection of tables and chairs should you need extra accommodations for those holiday guests. Crocks and wooden boxes are also in demand for decoration with evergreen and holly. Our unique yet affordable gifts are especially popular during the current economic situation. When taken care of properly, antiques in general will increase in value.
Here’s a family favorite recipe for “Grandma’s Baked Apples” that is sure to fill your kitchen with the inviting “sugar and spice” smell of comfort food:

9-12 baking apples
2 T. cornstarch
1 C. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
2 C. boiling water
2 T. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium saucepan combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. Use whisk to smash any lumps of cornstarch. Add boiling water. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Peel, halve and core apples and place in a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Spoon sauce over apples, covering each. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

During the winter months we will be open on weekends as weather permits. On extremely cold or snowy days, we will be closed. However you may call us at any time to set up an appointment to check out our “stuff.”

Monday, October 27, 2008

Tricks, Treats and Wind in the Trees

Can you believe it's the end of October?  Better hurry if you still want to enjoy the autumn beauty!  The wind will be picking up, and soon the cold rains will start to fall -- we'll be seeing frost every morning soon.  None of us can help but think back to our Halloween nights as children...I remember dressing up in costumes, with those plastic masks (we used to call them "false faces!")  It was thrilling to pretend to be a character like a fortune teller or a fireman, and the thrills got even better when the candy started flowing into our trick or treat bags!  And the best thrill of all was having Grandma tell us a spooky tale that would send shivers up our spines. Don't forget to pass on these wonderful traditions with the youngsters in your life -- they'll remember your stories for decades to come.  Be sure to stop by on your fall outings in Ohio Amish country -- you can certainly find an affordable little "treat" for yourself at Spies Farms Antiques (no cavities either!)  Be safe, and remember, "the goblin's will get you if don't watch out - BOO!"  Happy Halloween!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Take the Scenic Route - the Fall Foliage is at Its Peak!

You've been waiting for this time all year... it's by far the best time to come to Ohio Amish country -- the prime of autumn is here!  How can we describe the colors you'll see?  Russet, amber, garnet, gold, olive, maroon, vermillion, scarlet -- when is the last time you treated yourself to a visit to "nature's art gallery?"  We know that trips in the car are fewer these days, so you need to make them really count.  What better way to make the trip worthwhile than to head out on an Amish Country Byway?  Route 557 will take you to places like Farmerstown and Charm, while Route 62 will lead you past Berlin to Bunker Hill and Winesburg.  If you head back down Route 515, you'll find Trail, and then once you get to Route 39, you'll pass Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek.  The scenery across Holmes County and west Tuscarawas County at this time of year is an unbeatable combination of blazing fall color on the trees with picturesque views of Amish families busy with their harvests in the fields.  On your way back towards I-77, please be sure to stop by Spies Farms Antiques to tell us what you saw and perhaps to find a special memento of your trip.  We'll be waiting for you -- enjoy!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Celebrating the Past and the Present

As part of our local Bicentennial celebration, Spies Farms Antiques decked out a float with some of our rare antiques from days gone by for the parade, and we got into the spirit by dressing up in old-fashioned clothes.  Even the young kids joined in by handing out apples to the parade crowds (we figured that's a snack that never goes out of style!)  It's interesting to think that our area was settled just a few decades after America celebrated its independence -- no wonder antiques are so much a part of our lives here!  Family treasures have been handed down for many generations; we're glad we can help our antique-loving customers to be a part of that tradition. The fall foliage is becoming ablaze with color, and the weather is still fine -- it's a great time to come and visit. We'll see you soon.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Crisp Fall Weather Calls For a Slice of Pie

As the weather turns cooler, our thoughts turn from lighter summer fare to heartier food, and yes, even a slice of pie now and then!  Although many of us like to bake (and for those of you who do, be sure to check out our hard-to-find cooking and baking items, just like Grandma had in her kitchen!), sometimes we like to go up the road to a long-standing family favorite -- Dutch Valley restaurant, which is just this side of Sugarcreek on Route 39.  When you go, bring your appetite, because we've never heard of anyone leaving without a full tummy and a smile on their face!  They offer a wide range of Amish style dishes which they mainly serve "family style", and they always have many flavors of pie to choose from.  One of our family's favorite pie flavors is grape -- if you haven't tried it, now is the time!  (You won't regret it).  Since you drove all this way, be sure to ask for a scoop of ice cream with it.  See you at Spies Farms Antiques!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Getting Back to our Roots - it's the Ohio Swiss Festival!

In Sugarcreek, Ohio, just about 8 miles up the road from Spies Farms Antiques, the Swiss Festival is held each year just 4 weeks after Labor Day.  So this year that means it's being held on September 26-27.  Being of Swiss heritage on the maternal side, we have a long-standing tradition of attending this traditional celebration -- in fact, a certain Spies couple met at the Swiss festival many years ago and it resulted in a marriage that has lasted over 50 years (and still counting!) Although we can't guarantee a romance like that if you go to the festival, we'll bet that you'll enjoy rare festivities such as the Swiss Miss contest, SteinStossen (stone tossing -- not small pebbles either!), alpine horn playing and an old-fashioned parade with colorful floats.  On your way back from the festival, be sure to stop by and tell us your favorite part.  We'll be waiting here at the shop, ready to show you our latest finds from Amish country.  Have fun!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Our County Fair is Here! Time for Prize-winning Fun

Our local County Fair (Tuscarawas County) is coming to town next week, here in Dover, Ohio (from Monday, September 15th through Sunday, September 21st). Every year it still delivers a feeling of excitement and nostalgia, with the booths all decked out, the produce and preserves awaiting their blue and red prize ribbons, and of course the rollicking rides, games of skill, sugary sweet treats and hot fried snacks.  What more can you ask?  It tugs at the country kid in all of us. While you're in town, after enjoying the exhibits, livestock barns and grandstand shows, be sure to stop by Spies Farms Antiques to say hello and browse around.  Even if you didn't enter or win something at the fair, you can still take home a "prize" that you'll cherish for years to come -- and we have quite a few items that don't cost more than the price of the grandstand shows, so there is something in every price range.  Happy Autumn!  We'll see you at the shop.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

September Means Back to School - and a Special Offer

No matter how long it has been since you were a student, somehow each of us can't help get a bit nostalgic when September comes.  It's a time for shiny new pencils, chilly mornings and the yellow-orange school bus coming down the road.  Here at the shop, school is top of mind as people come in looking for furniture items for their college kids.  While there are inexpensive alternatives on the market, wouldn't you rather send them off with furniture that is solid wood rather than particle board or plastic?  With our affordable prices and selection, you're sure to find what you need at a fair price.  And chances are the kids will be able to use their furniture long after school is done (maybe even long enough to send their own kids off to school with it someday!)  As we all know, it's best for the environment to reuse or recycle items of quality versus throwing away poorly made new items after a short year or two, so you can feel good about your purchases.  To make it even easier on your budget, we're offering 10% off all items in the shop to all families sending students off to school.  We hope to see you here in Dover soon.  

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Washboards and Pieces of Slate -- Here's What's New

Since we're moving toward the fall season, it's not surprising that another wine press flew out the door (note: we still have a cider press available, just in time for apple season). What is surprising though, is a run on washboards and pieces of slate! All of a sudden washboards have become very popular. We're not sure why, but it is intriguing! Perhaps folks are starting to decorate for the fall and winter entertaining season -- a washboard could be a nice rustic touch in a kitchen or breakfast nook (and we still have a handful available). We also have a fair amount of slate pieces left over from the restoration of the roof of our log cabin from the 1800s (which is here on the premises of the antique shop), and suddenly our customers have asked to buy the slate pieces --in rather large quantities! Doing "primitive style" painting (like Grandma Moses) on pieces of slate has been a well-loved passtime for decades, so we figure that folks are possibly going to use the slate for artistic expression. Regardless of their plans, we're happy that we're able to make unusual and hard-to-find items like these available for our customers. We hope to see you soon here at the shop.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Tips on Visiting Amish Country

If you haven't been to Ohio Amish country before, there are a few things to consider when paying a visit. For one thing, since the Amish travel by horse and buggy, if you're on the road while sightseeing here in East Central Ohio, at some point you'll probably find yourself driving right behind a buggy (remember, a buggy only has 1 horse power so they don't travel very fast!) Horses can get spooked -- they are animals after all -- so please use caution when driving near buggies. Also, although you may be fascinated by the Amish and their culture, they are somewhat private, and it is against their beliefs to take or be in photographs, so please respect their privacy. One way you can learn more about the way Amish live is to visit Yoder's Amish Home, located in Millersburg -- they have two Amish homes open for tours on a 116-acre farm, complete with animals to pet at the barn. Speaking of buggy rides, you can take one of your own at Yoder's while you're there. Find out more at yodersamishhome.com. We'll see you soon -- have a safe trip.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Take a Ride on an Antique Wooden Horse!

Do you remember riding the merry-go-round as a child? There's something about the music (I believe they call it calliope music) that just brings out the kid in all of us. If you want to relive that feeling -- perhaps with the kids or grandkids in tow -- then head over to Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio (or "New Philly" as we affectionately say), just a short freeway drive from Spies Farms Antiques here in Dover. Not only is the music authentic but the horses are some of the few carved wooden carousel horses left in the U.S. (a nice find for those of us who are already fond of antiques!) They are ornately decorated and painted, just like you remember -- the little ones might say they are" magical" (like the ones Mary Poppins rode!) Besides a nostalgic ride on a "noble steed", you can enjoy other amusement rides, a dip in the pool or a picnic on one of the handy picnic tables. For more information, go to: www.tuscora.park.net. Have fun!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Fall is in the air...Already! Update & Decor Ideas from the Shop

Even though it'll only be August 1st this Friday, thoughts are already turning to fall in the antique shop.  Some folks from Washington state just bought a wine press from us (we're thinking the grape harvest can't be far off -- and we're betting that the cider press we have in the auxiliary showroom won't be here long).  We've noticed that crockery sales have started to pick up as well. Fall is such a beautiful time of year -- the rustic earthenware crocks we have in stock now are perfect for displaying arrangements of bright fall foliage, dried thistles, branches of bittersweet, bull rushes (or "cattails" as we always called them), miniature shocks of wheat, the list goes on -- you are only limited by your imagination.  A simple crock and a "nature walk" on an Ohio country side road (don't forget a pair of gardening gloves, trimming shears and a bag to hold your "harvest") can provide you with a striking arrangement of Mother Nature's bounty for your dining room table or mantle, adding a warmth and a connection to the seasons to your living space that is just priceless.  (And we bet you'll enjoy the walk too!)  We look forward to chatting with you when you stop by -- we'll see you soon.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Warther's Museum -- It's a Must-See on Your Trip

Warther's Museum is just down the road from Spies Farms Antiques, in the town of Dover, Ohio.  Of all the things to do and see in the immediate area, this is the one with the biggest "claim to fame", as it features the history and works of the world-renowned master carver, Ernest "Mooney" Warther. You will see amazing fully-functioning train carvings, each one with exact miniature parts carved from materials like ebony and walnut -- 64 in all (the Smithsonian considers them to be "priceless").  Back when Mooney was still alive he would carve a working set of pliers from a solid piece of wood in a few seconds flat for the schoolchildren who visited, which never failed to amaze all of us.  And his fame is not just local -- he was even a guest on the Johnny Carson Show.   His son and grandson are carrying on the carving tradition (including the wooden pliers!) Other highlights at the museum are the "Button House" housing the massive button collection of Mooney's wife, Freida, an impressive arrowhead collection, Swiss gardens and the carving workshop.  It's a great opportunity for those who love fine craftsmanship, trains, art -- you can even bring the kids along because they really get into it. Don't miss it.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Trumpet in the Land - It's Worth Seeing

Trumpet in the Land is "Ohio's first Outdoor Drama" -- we went to see it when it first opened and have seen it since then too, and it still stands the test of time. Now it's in its 39th year (time flies!) and we still send friends to see it when they come to visit, so check it out when you're in the area. It's right nearby, in New Philadelphia at the Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre. It's about the early days when Ohio basically was the "wild west" -- right at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and it's actually quite intense and moving. They now have another related performance called The White Savage, which focuses on one of the main characters from Trumpet in the Land (the "bad guy", Simon Girty). If you're interested in learning more, here's their web site: www.trumpetintheland.com. Hope you enjoy your time in Ohio.