Burkholder's Country Market — Local services in Penn Township

Amazing store and fantastic ownership. Best fried chicken I've had and at reasonable prices. You can pay specifically for a chicken breast instead of the hot food price per pound. They have a small salad/ hot buffet bar available, and a very welcoming seating area. The store is large and uncluttered making for a pleasant shopping experience. Staff have always been friendly.

But besides the grocery store part, this local family owned store uniquely stands out. I travel all over the US and visit hundreds of grocery stores for work and myself. I was passing through the area when I found Burkholder's Country Market. What caught my eye and made me turn back to visit this store wasn't that it was the first large store in a quiet valley, the "country" in the name, or the spaciously appealing architecture... It was the SOLAR CARPORT PARKING LOT How could a small local family grocery store be so practically innovative compared to major retailers and chains? I have never seen this anywhere else and I was and still am, extremely impressed. I'm actually writing this now in a mobile oven as my car has to sit in full sun while I work the stores. So you get shade, precipitation protection, and oh yeah- electricity!! Apparently they only have to cover 1/3rd of their remaining energy expenses.

Upon research, this was only possible through grants. So given current 2025 times, unfortunately I don't think I'll be seeing solar carport parking lots anywhere else...

I love that they have things there I cannot find other places but they do some things I don't like. I only eat Italian hoagies you can get a 6 inch for $6 or a 12 inch for $6.50. Then most times everyone has bought the 12 inch only leaving the 6 inch and you don't want it when you can get the 12 inch for 50 cents more. They will have a ton of American and Ham hoagies no one really buys them and they are always out of Italian. If that's what people want make less of the other 2 and make more 12 inch Italians like hello. I feel like some of their prices are really good and some are stupid outrageous. Again I know they have to price it a certain way but I do not believe they have to raise them so high. Rock candy was a $1.00 for a package then went to 7$ overnight. I will still always shop there it's clean and organized but some of the cashiers are young and are def inexperienced but you never see anyone trying to teach them to be friendlier. The one day the 2 cashiers talked among themselves as if we weren't standing there and I grew up in America we're children were respectful and kind and nice and wouldn't treat customers like they don't want to bother doing their job because they are talking and that's more important but maybe I'm just nitpicking I would like America to be...

Love shopping here. Its our weekly stop when heading to Penn State for games and to a family members cabin nearby. It's a Shur-fine branded store if that matters to you. The workers are super-friendly and helpful in every area and the owners are right there digging in to work too. They have a great breakfast and dinner hot bar (the fried chicken rivals KFC), salad bar, deli, bakery, large produce section and bulk food area as well as an extensive fresh meat shelves and frozen aisles. There is always a large selection of grab and go food items from soups, subs, cheese and bologna to desserts, etc. There are in-store public restrooms that are always clean, Sunoco gas pumps out front to fill up for your drive. And there is a huge seating area to enjoy a meal. (Fun fact: they used to be in a small storefront just down the road. They would get so much business on Penn State mornings that they changed their fall hrs to accommodate those early hour tailgaters and quickly outgrew their old location so this location was established and they are flourishing for good reason.) Next door is Weavers, a large "country store" with clothing, hardware, kitchen items, shoes, etc. Don't miss this 2-fer gem for a rest stop on Rt 45 outside...