Amish home-based businesses flourishing in Livingston County. Where to go.

• New home businesses have been added to the Amish map of Livingston County.
• The region is about a 45 minute drive from Rochester.
• The home businesses near Dansville are thriving with more visitors discovering the region.

Much of retail remains closed and limited even as New York is in Phase 2 of reopening. If you're tired of online shopping or eager to shop local, consider visiting the Amish home businesses of Livingston County.

We visited last weekend as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced stores reopening with limitations. The number of home businesses has grown since our last visit, before the pandemic hit.

The Dansville area of Livingston County is where you'll find home-based Amish businesses that sell foods, quilts, woodwork, florals, birdhouses, lawn furniture and more. They are not advertised anywhere, including on the internet, since the Amish do not use modern technology.

Tourists from all parts of the world flock to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to purchase handmade goods. Folks in the Rochester area don’t have to travel far to shop for Amish-made goods and deal directly with the artisans. The Amish community that emerged in Livingston County within the past decade opens home businesses to travelers from sun up to sun down every day except Sundays.

Amish craftsmanship is renowned for its simplicity and intricacy. From colorful quilts with detailed edging to custom wood furniture, the handmade items are a great way to add a personal touch to home decor.

New to us this year is visiting Samuel and Sarah Yoder at 6215 Strong Hill Road in North Dansville. The husband and wife team makes poly lawn furniture, clocks, birdhouses and quilts. 

I selected a bargello-style quilt that has a contemporary feel, and I was able to meet the artist. Sarah Yoder charges $395 for her queen-sized quilts and takes custom orders for the same price, with a three-month window for the custom orders. That's less than half the price of Pennsylvania Amish quilts that I've seen online; here, you're cutting out the middleman. And you know you have an authentic Amish-made product.

The wood birdhouses that Samuel Yoder makes are $28, and the simple Mission-style wood clocks are $250.

The community of Amish home businesses is actually just north of Dansville, between Conesus and Wayland. Some are small businesses operated out of homes, while others are larger with several buildings. Samuel Yoder gave us the latest map showing the locations, and most businesses will have the maps. 

Even without a map, if you drive in the area north of Dansville, you'll see signs for the Amish businesses. The homes are along the route from Vista Hill Road and Church Road in Dansville to Stagecoach Road in Conesus. 

The largest store along the route is Miller’s Greenhouse at 7724 Reeds Corners Road in Dansville, offering flowers, woodwork, quilts and jams and jellies. The handmade quilts in queen size are $485. There are quilted pot holders for $4 and jams, jellies and handmade cards in the gift shop. The greenhouse is filled with plants as well as wooden planters and large overflowing baskets of flowers. Herbs were $2 a pot, and many vegetable plants were available.

Cedar Lane Bulk Foods at 6081 Church Road in Dansville is where you'll find food for sale. There's jerky, cheese and many spices. Spices such as turmeric were only 50 cents for a small container. On Saturdays, you'll find self-service food stands with fresh-baked treats, from pies to doughnuts.

Keep in mind the Amish do not want to be photographed. They will let you photograph the products.

The community members are kind and helpful and will help you find what you need, and they'll direct you to other businesses. Sarah Yoder asked me if the stores were open yet and I told her that Saturday the governor had just announced a portion may reopen. She told me she liked the thrift stores.

We left and promised to keep in touch, as I'll put in a custom quilt order for my college-bound daughter. But there is no telephone to connect. The Yoders suggested I write to them, the old-fashioned way.

More ways to shop local:Webster family moves to Conesus farm and start a goat's milk soap business

Shopping will change:How will retail look different when stores reopen?

Mary Chao is the retail and real estate reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle. Email tips to  mchao@Gannett.com. Your subscription supports our journalism.