Amish come to Texas in Fredericksburg

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Michael Monahan, owner of the Amish Market in Fredericksburg, shows the displays of jams and jellies, marinated and dilled vegetables, candy, popcorn and Amish cheeses and butter that is sold in the store. Photo by Mindy Poehl

Feb. 2, 2006 - Sturdy, handcrafted wood furniture made with Amish/Mennonite craftsmanship is sold at the Amish Market in Fredericksburg. When visiting the store, you won't find quiet, Amish people running it, as you might assume. You will find the sociable Michael Monahan with his thick New York accent, and his wife, Mary, who own the store.

"We are Christians, but we aren't Amish," Michael said. "We always wanted to live in the Hill Country, but we waited for retirement to do that. At first we thought about antiques, and then we thought about nude furniture."

But, those ideas didn't seem to perfectly fit the Monahan's. Michael was a tour bus driver in New York city and he had a "50-year love affair with these people (the Amish)," he said.

"Their quality of furniture is the best, plus, we're Christians and they're Christians," Monahan said. "Amish furniture was something that wasn't around here."

That is how he and his wife came to open the Amish Market, which has been opened 33 months as of January 31.

"The quality workmanship is something you don't have to worry about with the Amish," Monahan said. "People come here when they want good solid, sturdy wood furniture. You either hate the style or you love it."

The Amish Market sells indoor and outdoor furniture, such as swings, arbors, tables and office furniture. The furniture is sold in six woods, including oak, maple, walnut, cherry and quartar-sawn, along with 30 different stains.  Amish foods, such as cheeses and butter, noodles, popcorn, candy, and jams and jellies are also sold.

"People come to us to get their sugar free jellies," Monahan said. "We also sell marinated and dilled vegetables. And wall decor that is religious and secular."

According to Monahan, the Amish are basically found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The Amish only attend school until 8th grade, because they believe "pride is the beginning of all human sin," he said. 

Making the furniture is a three step process, Monahan said, which involves the quality, stain and price and the buying process.

"Fifteen to 20 percent of the people come in here two to three times a year, collecting different pieces," Monahan said.

"Young couples come in and buy a different piece each year. And many people travel to get the furniture."

A former Amishman brings the furniture down to the shop in Fredericksburg and the items can be shipped.

"The Amish have a system where no one steps on anyone else's toes. That means that no one makes the same things," Monahan said.

When people visit the store, the Monahan's try to welcome each customer individually and explain to them a little about the Amish and what makes their furniture so special.

For more information visit www.amishmkt.com.