Three great stores on one lush, people-friendly campus: Here’s why people are buzzing about Amish Country’s Sheiyah Market

By Beth Newcomb

Last fall, when Ruth Schlabach sat down with her team to plan the 2020 20th anniversary festivities for her beloved Village Gift Barn, located in Ohio’s Amish Country, she decided the time was right for change.

“We were preparing to celebrate 20 years of the Village Gift Barn and also rebrand the Old Berlin Village Shoppes campus under a new name,” Ruth says. “When the pandemic hit, we decided to postpone the anniversary celebration, but made the decision to continue with the rebranding to give hope of continued business.”

After many hours of contemplation, Ruth said aloud the name “Sheiyah,” which is the Pennsylvania Dutch word for barn. “It definitely fits our culture and is the perfect conversation starter with customers,” she smiles.

With Sheiyah Market as the new name for the campus on which Village Gift Barn, Country Gatherings, and The Gardens at Country Gatherings live, the future has been defined. “The name paves the way for future businesses to join us here,” Ruth says. “We’re excited about the change, and even more so about what’s to come in the future.”

“Our focus is on continuing to create an experience for visitors to the area,” she continues. “Along with our new campus name, we’ve also made some exciting additions to the property to encourage our guests to not only shop with us, but also linger so they can savor the beauty of Amish Country. We wanted to give them more.”

Ruth says she and her team have put into place a number of different engagement stations that encourage guests to slow down and immerse themselves in the Amish Country experience. In addition to fabulous shopping at the Village Gift Barn, Country Gatherings, and The Gardens at Country Gatherings, you can now pop into the new coffee shop—Buggy Brew Coffee Co.—and enjoy a steaming cup of coffee roasted by Red Mug Coffee Co.

Outdoors, you’ll find a traditional Amish buggy serving as the perfect backdrop to selfies and family photos, as well as a photo booth. A new courtyard has been beautifully landscaped and includes a fireplace and couches for the ultimate in relaxation.

A winding walking trail, which Ruth says takes about 45 minutes to traverse, meanders around the campus and through some neighboring properties. “People can bring their pets and enjoy the trail,” she invited. “Kids are welcome, too.”

Explore the Sheiyah Market Campus
Village Gift Barn, which turned 20 this year, boasts 45,000 square feet of retail space and includes a boutique with clothing for women, a huge home décor and home furnishings area, a kitchen area, and a distinctive jewelry department that features Pandora and Brighton. Here you’ll find transitional furnishings and accent pieces—enough to outfit an entire home, or simply fill in where you need to accessorize. “People are often surprised that we offer larger home furnishings, like upholstered couches, dining sets and bedroom sets,” Ruth reveals. “Our friends up north will definitely find that something different for the home here. We make it a point to bring in unique, hard-to-find items you won’t discover at other stores in the area.”

An enormous children’s section, with clothing and toys, completes the offerings.

Country Gatherings offers fine country goods, from vintage to primitive to modern farmhouse. In addition to home décor and furnishings, you’ll also find one-of-a-kind, handmade goods. Area rugs are another fabulous find.

The Gardens at Country Gatherings boast a year-round greenhouse packed with succulents, exotic plants and distinctive house plants. It’s the happy place for many a regular shopper.

Christmas is a favorite time of year for most Sheiyah Market shoppers. Plan your visit to coincide with the annual Christmas Open House, on Thursday, November 12, through Saturday, November 14. For details, check the campus website and social media.

The freshly anointed Sheiyah Market is located at 4755 State Route 39, in Berlin. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday plus Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. The phone number is 330-893-1174 and the website is VillageGiftBarn.com.