Amish Quilt Shop Rebrands, Expands

November 15, 2017 - A once-small gift shop started in the basement of the Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pa has found itself dancing on a tight-rope between worlds old and new. Rooted in a tradition of old-fashioned Amish and Mennonite simplicity and dedication, the owners of Family Farm Handcrafts are racing to keep up with the face pace of online commerce in the modern world.

The name "Family Farm Quilts" should be familiar to quilt lovers who shop in Lancaster County. Family Farm Quilts began in 1983, in the basement of the Amish-Mennonite home of John and Ann Lapp with their eight children. The business was so successful that it eventually branched out into three separate locations, individually owned and managed by children of the Lapp family. The quilt-sourcing for each shop is still managed by the original founder, Ann Lapp. Only one of these three locations, Family Farm Quilts of Intercourse, retains the original name.

The Shady Maple quilt shop is tightly intertwined with location it occupies. "Quilts of Shady Maple" have been in steady demand by Smorgasbord clientele, and the shop's owners, Kate and John Lapp, have continued to expand. Amish craftsmanship is not limited to quilting, and products with authentic and personal touch solicit a unique appeal in our factory-crazed modern marketplace. Handcrafted baskets, soaps, quillows, brooms, pot holders, books, and more, are added as connections are made with local artisans.

Armed with this arsenal of unique products, the Lapps have taken aim at the Internet. The shop's former website, quiltsofshadymaple.com, provided a reference point used by shoppers for over ten years, but left the bustling market of e-commerce largely untapped. That's why the Lapps recently contracted with E-Impact Marketing in Lancaster, Pa to expand their business outside of the confines of a basement corner into the expansive international online marketplace.

In order to better represent the wide-array of handmade items available, the shop rebranded from "Family Farm Quilts of Shady Maple" to "Family Farm Handcrafts", and landed on the domain www.familyfarmhandcrafts.com. Launching just in time to meet the increased traffic of the Christmas season—the new website affords improved navigation and checkout for holiday shoppers.

So, why all the fuss about stichwork? "Every Amish Quilt has a story to tell", proclaims the homepage of the website for the newly rebranded Family Farm Handcrafts. Amish Quilts are nothing new for the visitors to Lancaster County Pa, but what remains less-known is the often untold story of where the quilts come from and why. A conversation with Kate Lapp can change that, however, as she cares deeply about the people who they help by retailing their colorful stitch-work. Kate can tell you which quilts are produced to help offset expenses from life tragedies, which are produced as a way to supplement the income of a large family who would otherwise just scrape by, and more.

The results of the Amish hard work and dedication have hit their mark time and time again. "I believe it's the most beautiful quilt I've ever seen." exclaims a Google reviewer, "you can tell a lot of loving care and highest amount of pride went into this beautifully handcrafted work of art." From another customer: "I was racking my brain for a gift for my grandmother who needed some extra tlc. After coming up with the quilt idea I was thrilled to find what I was looking for on your site. Gram loves her special gift-thank you!" Gifts selected from this fine collection will not be regretted by anyone in search of quality over quantity this holiday season.