Valley View Country Store — Local services in Cookeville

I've been to many Amish and Mennonite groceries over the years, so I had some expectations for this place. It is a small grocery store and fabric store in one.

One of the most amazing things they have are these beautiful wind chimes. No description will do them justice. Most are very large (3-4+ ft) with the deepest, richest sounds you've ever heard in a wind chime. They were in the $200-350+ price range. They also had a nice selection of enamel ware which you don't often see. They had some really gorgeous handmade cutting boards that most people could appreciate. We snagged a pound of fresh ginger root for $1.50 while we were there.

The down side of this place is just one, which is unfortunate. The owner was just downright unfriendly! I did see him smile and make small talk with some other Amish when we arrived. I've experienced this at times in Amish country. It's like this man despises the English, but gladly takes their money. One older couple was making their big grocery run. I heard the woman say that they never go into Walmart, they like to ship locally. There was an obvious opportunity to gain a long-term customer here but he didn't even have a response. Again, the owner was simply not friendly to them which is not good business.

I asked him if their honey was local. His cold response was 'yes,' and basically one kind came from 1 1/2 hours away, the other came from four hours away, but, kind of grumpy-like, said he couldn't remember which was which. FYI: that is not 'local,' so not helpful for allergies.

Perhaps this fellow was having a really bad day. We were having a great day and drove a long way to check this place out. If the "inside temp" hadn't been so frigid, them we might have wanted to return in the future. Perhaps you'll have a better experience as it is a sweet...

I had been to this store with no issue prior. I know they are very conservative so I purposely made sure my shirt was to my neck being respectful. I was approached by a very rude man with no tact or manners about him whatsoever. He wanted to give me a shirt…I am thinking he is trying to sell it to me. I said I don’t need a shirt. He then became angry and said I would put it on our leave as I was not dressed. I was completely shocked. My shirt was sleeveless but revealed absolutely nothing. I told him I would be happy to leave. Now there was a man in front of me with the whole sides cut out of his shirt and no sleeves. Not a word was said to him. Discrimination to say the least if we are talking about sleeveless arms which was the only offense I could have been guilty of. I even looked at the door on my way in to make sure I was with in their policy. Nothing was posted. I had an hour before been at another mennonite/amish store and they were very nice. So They need to post very clearly what they expect, they need to have someone who has manners approach and kindly explain if there is a problem instead of being complete asinines, and lastly if they want to win people for Christ they need to change the way they treat people. I am certain the Lord would see his disrespectful treatment of me as way more of a sin then my arms showing. I have never encountered anyone like this before. And I have lived among Amish and Mennonites and shopped with them for years. To say I was completely upset was an understatement. I have never in my life been accused of not being properly covered. The absurdity of this whole encounter is almost laughable at the...

Such a great place for seniors and those on a limited income to shop. Lots of bargains, plus a wide range of baking products. We lucked out the first visit when they had fresh-made cinnamon roles...SO GOOD! Love the Mennonite community - great people, and what a joy to pull up to the store and see the children and their teacher playing games in the parking lot with the marvelous variety of simple, pastel dresses...