A Day of Antiquing in New Holland
New Holland is a charming borough of about 5,300 people in eastern Lancaster County. Its earliest settlers arrived in the early 1700s. Like many Pennsylvania Dutch communities, New Holland's economy is rooted in agriculture. New Holland Agriculture, a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, was founded here, and the community has hosted the popular New Holland Farmers Fair for nearly 100 years. Formed in 1829, the town's acclaimed community band honors its European heritage and is one of the oldest community bands in the country.
In a town steeped in so much history, it's no wonder that hunting for treasures from the past is a top activity. New Holland is home to a number of eclectic antique shops, each with a personality and spirit all its own. From furniture and architectural pieces to home and garden decor, the diversity of the unique items you'll find is infinite. Make a day of it; you never know what you might discover!
After a restful night's sleep at After Eight Bed and Breakfast and a delicious gourmet breakfast, you're ready to begin your antiquing adventure to find something extraordinary. Start your search in downtown New Holland at Tannery Antiques. Situated along Main Street, you'll find artwork, pottery, housewares, toys, and collectibles — just to scratch the surface. Their sister business, Screaming Lion, shares the same space and features fun and funky taxidermy and oddities. It's worth a look-see!
Next, leave downtown and head north to Mary's Gift Shop. Owners Mary and Paul Martin are horse-and-buggy Mennonites and built their shop on their farm. From antiques and public auction finds to authentic Amish and Mennonite handicrafts and furniture, you're sure to find something to love amongst this store's one-of-a-kind treasures.
From there, jump back in your car, but only for a minute before arriving at Vintage Kollections. Vintage home and garden decor, antiques, architectural details, furniture, old books, art — the vast selection of antiques is always changing, which means you will never run out of items to discover. Right next door is their companion store, Cornfields, where you'll find even more repurposed, salvaged and vintage treasures amongst their overflowing inventory.
You'll no doubt work up an appetite after all that treasure hunting. Lucky for you that Dutch Country Soft Pretzels is nearby. You'll smell the aroma of the fresh-made pretzels as you arrive at the bakery store. In business for over 25 years, they've perfected the distinctive shape and chewy texture of Lancaster's quintessential snack. End your day of antiquing with a belly full of goodness and a trunk full of treasures as you head back to After Eight Bed and Breakfast to relax and review your purchases. We call that a success!
