poor farmer's market country store

We stop here several times a year when touring the mountain areas around the BRP by motorcycle. It's a great place to stop, get off the bikes, pick up some gas and enjoy a sandwich or ice cream.This store has a little bit of everything from dried bulk beans (15 or 20 different varieties) to jams, jellies, dried beef, mountain main butter, eggs, 100's of hot sauces and BBQ sauces (try the Bone Sucking sauce if you get a chance).There are also toys, wind chimes... you name it (and yes, fried crickets - think of pop corn, they aren't bad at all and I would be the first to scream like a little girl if a cricket jumped on me.)You can easily spend 45 minutes or an hour in here looking at everything, browsing through books, and getting a bite to eat.(Warning: The bathrooms are always pretty disgusting.)

We visit the area a lot and usually stop here for something. Be it cheap gas, local produce, firewood for camping, crafts, apple butter, and many more "hillbilly" favorites. They have a nice little kitchen/grille where you can get fresh made sandwiches, cakes, fried apple pies, and more exotic fair like vinegar and salt crickets (say what?).The BLT is very good with the country bacon. Stop in and do a little shopping. You'll find some good Appalachian music among the CDs for sale too.

Interesting items inside the stores - plus I hear that the ice cream is great. I personally enjoyed the fried apple pies. Haven't had any like that since I was a kid. Wish I had brought some back home with me. We were riding through on a motorcycle trip and a local advised us to stop in. Glad we did. They were playing Ralph Stanley on the overhead speakers and between that and the fried apple pies it took me back. Really glad we stopped!

Great stop when touring the blue ridge. Lots of fun trinkets and old time snacks. Good cheap eats and ice cream.

We drove up from Fancy Gap to see the nearby mill. This market had a great variety of different items. The fresh baked items were especially good!

Nice place to sit down and eat ice cream. A little pricey on items in store. Worth a stop and look, you might something nice, cast iron cookware, Claey's candy flavors, other things.

Stopped in here to buy a drink in the middle of a day of riding motorcycles with friends. Saw several old friends while there as there were numerous other bikers stopping by. We got a soda and set on the porch in glider rockers. They also sell ice cream and deli sandwiches too.

The Poor Farmer's Market Country store is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 177, on Highway 58 in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Very easy off/back onto the Parkway.Although I've been traveling to this general area nearly every summer since I was little, it wasn't until last summer that I stumbled upon Poor Farmer's Market Country Store. I've made a visit there now two summers in a row, and will continue to do so hopefully for many more summers to come.Outside the front of the market, there are many fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from, all very nicely displayed.Inside the large store, there are items of all types available for purchase -- including unique and gourmet-quality cooking essentials including skillets, dried beans by the pound, local honey, intersting costume jewelry, books about the area, including those from local authors, candy, children's gifts, you name it! Also inside, there is a deli-like area. I hesitate to say whether or not you can buy sandwiches here, because I'm not 100% positive. I do remember smelling the fantastic aroma of someone baking bread or cookies, though! And, I saw many homemade desserts for sale. I'm just not certain what other types of food you can purchase on the side that looks like a deli, so you'll have to check it out for yourself.On that side of the market, there is a covered outdoor porch area where you can sit for a while and enjoy your purchases.I have really enjoyed browsing and shopping here because it is one of those markets that truly remind me of how things where when I used to visit this area when I was younger. It's not like every other gift store you see. There's more of a one of a kind feel to it because it's not a chain like Cracker Barrel, it's the real thing.If they don't serve lunch here, I highly recommend Jane's Country Cafe, which is the next building over, on the same side of the street, as the Poor Farmer's Market Country Store.FYI - I picked up a flyer for the Poor Farmer's Market Country Store and they also rent two cabins in the area. One is located ona working farm, with scenic views. The other is a rustic - early settler period (with bathroom!), on the trout-stocked Dan River. Both are secluded, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, fully-furnished with everything provided, and contain one full-sized bed and one sleeper sofa. I'm sure you can inquire about those rentals at the market.Check out their website also at www.poorfarmersmarket.biz