The parking lot makes electricity. Rows of solar panels sit on top of a covered carport, shading cars while they help power the store behind them.
That alone would make me pull over. Then I learned the place also sells ethanol-free gas out front and fried chicken inside.
I like a grocery store that refuses to pick just one job.
This market sits in a quiet valley in central Pennsylvania. It looks like a big country store, and in many ways it is.
Yet it stacks up against chain stores and then keeps going, with a hot bar, a bulk foods aisle, and homemade peanut butter.
What started as a risky move in a rural valley eventually earned national recognition, putting this family-run market among the country’s top independent grocers.
The Bet That Paid Off
Building a big grocery store in a farm valley sounds like a gamble. Burkholder’s Country Market in central Pennsylvania took that gamble anyway, and it worked.
The title says it plainly, and the story behind it is fun. In 2026, Burkholder’s Country Market was named one of nine IGA Retailers of the Year, selected from a network of more than 2,600 stores.
That’s a wild result for a store surrounded by fields and ridges. Most big contests favor the shiny city stores with huge budgets.
So what gives this place its edge? It mixes the feel of a country store with the range of a full supermarket.
You can grab diapers, cereal, and paper towels on the same trip. Then you can pick up a hot lunch, a bag of trail mix, and a whoopie pie.
It’s also run by a local family, which shows in the details. Small choices add up, from the clean aisles to the roomy layout.
I like that the doubters got proven wrong in such a big way. It’s a good reminder that a smart idea can grow anywhere.
The rest of this list explains why the win makes sense. Each part of the store pulls its own weight, and some parts surprise you.
Let’s start outside, because the parking lot has a trick up its sleeve. Few grocery lots anywhere can claim the same thing.
Your Car Gets Shade While The Roof Makes Power
Most parking lots just bake in the sun. This one wears a roof of solar panels, and it earns its keep.
The covered carport stretches over the parking spaces outside the store. Your car stays shaded in summer and drier during rain or snow.
Meanwhile, those panels soak up sunlight all day long. They help power the market, cutting down how much energy it buys elsewhere.
That’s a clever use of space that usually does nothing. A parking lot becomes a mini power plant without taking up a single extra acre.
It’s rare to see this at any grocery store, big or small. Large chains have the money, yet few have tried anything like it.
Think about a hot July afternoon in Pennsylvania. Coming back to a cool steering wheel feels like a small gift.
Winter has perks too, since the cover keeps snow off your windshield. Scraping ice in a grocery lot is nobody’s favorite hobby.
I admire how practical the whole setup feels. It solves everyday problems while also being kinder to the planet.
It also tells you something about the people running the store. They think ahead, and they aren’t afraid to try something new.
Park, look up, and enjoy the view of those panels. Then head inside, because lunch is waiting.
Skip Cooking Tonight Thanks To This Hot Bar
Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese all in one spot. That’s the kind of lineup the hot bar here offers.
The buffet sits right inside the store, so dinner can happen mid-shopping trip. Items rotate, which keeps things from getting boring.
Past offerings have included meatloaf, rib tips, and fried shrimp. Comfort food is clearly the theme, and nobody seems to mind.
Food is sold by the pound, so you control your plate. Load up on what you love and skip the rest.
There’s a breakfast buffet too for early risers. The store opens at 7 AM, so morning plans are covered.
Want something lighter? A salad bar sits nearby with fresh options to balance things out.
You can take everything to go or stay and eat. A small seating area gives you a spot to sit down.
I love this setup for busy families. One stop handles groceries for the week and dinner for tonight.
It’s also handy for travelers driving through the valley. Real hot food beats a gas station snack every single time.
Just go in with a plan, or at least an appetite. With so many trays calling your name, deciding is the hardest part.
Fried Chicken And Deli Sandwiches Steal The Spotlight
Crispy, golden, and very hard to resist. The fried chicken at Burkholder’s Country Market has become one of its best-known treats.
Here’s a smart detail worth knowing. You can buy a single chicken breast instead of paying by the pound at the hot bar.
That makes a quick lunch simple and predictable. Grab a piece, grab a drink, and you’re back on the road.
The deli counter is another strong reason to stop. Made-to-order sandwiches come together right there in the store.
Sandwiches might sound basic, but a good deli makes them special. Fresh meats and cheeses turn a plain lunch into something you’ll remember.
The deli also carries items you may not find at your usual supermarket. It’s worth a slow browse before you order.
I can’t imagine leaving without at least one of these. Chicken for now, a sandwich for later, problem solved.
Planning a picnic in the Pennsylvania countryside? This counter could stock the whole basket in a few minutes.
It also works well for road trips through the valley. Cold sandwiches travel well, and fried chicken tastes great even a little cooled.
So go ahead and make room in the cart. Your future hungry self will be very thankful.
An Entire Aisle Of Snack Tubs Awaits Your Willpower
One whole aisle. Hundreds of clear plastic tubs.
That’s the bulk foods section, and it’s dangerous in the best way.
Nuts, seeds, and trail mix fill the shelves in neat rows. Seeing everything through the clear containers makes choosing almost too easy.
Bulk foods are a classic part of country markets. They let you buy what you need without fancy packaging.
Bakers can find supplies here for holiday cooking. Snackers can build a whole week of treats in a few minutes.
Then there’s the homemade peanut butter. It’s made at the store, which feels refreshingly old-fashioned.
Fresh peanut butter tastes different from the jars on most shelves. Spread it on toast or eat it with apples for an easy snack.
This aisle is a fun stop for kids too. Let them pick one treat and watch how seriously they take the job.
A tip: bring a short list before you go. Without one, your cart may fill up faster than expected.
I like how this section feels both practical and playful. It’s grocery shopping with a little treasure hunt mixed in.
Bulk shopping can also be budget-friendly. Buying just the right amount means less waste back home.
Save Room Because The Whoopie Pies Are Watching
Two soft chocolate cakes hugging a pile of creamy filling. Whoopie pies are a Pennsylvania favorite, and this market sells them.
They show up as one of the treats people mention most. Honestly, a country market without whoopie pies would feel incomplete.
The bakery section offers plenty of other baked goods too. Breads and sweets make it easy to grab dessert for the whole family.
Some of these goodies are hard to find at regular supermarkets. That’s part of what makes browsing here so much fun.
Then comes the ice cream. It’s served with all the toppings, which feels like a reward for finishing your shopping.
Kids will spot that ice cream from across the store. Parents might too, if we’re being honest.
I believe every grocery trip deserves a little treat. Here, the hard part is narrowing it down to one.
Whoopie pies also make great gifts for friends back home. Few souvenirs say central Pennsylvania quite so deliciously.
Pick up a few for the car ride. They rarely last until the driveway, so consider buying extras.
Dessert first or dessert last? At this market, the right answer might simply be both.
Farm-Fresh Produce Meets Everything On Your List
Local farms surround this market, and the produce shows it. Many goods on the shelves come from farms nearby.
Fresh fruits and vegetables fill a bright, roomy section. Shopping local means your food didn’t travel halfway across the country.
Still, this isn’t only a farm stand. The store carries everything a normal chain grocery would have, and more.
Household basics sit right alongside the country favorites. Diapers, cleaning supplies, and pantry staples are all here.
There’s even an international section for adventurous cooks. That’s a nice surprise in a rural valley store.
The layout feels open and uncluttered. Wide aisles make pushing a cart much less stressful.
Cleanliness stands out too. A tidy store makes the whole trip feel calm and pleasant.
I like that one stop can cover a full week of meals. Fewer errands mean more time for everything else.
Plan your meals around what’s fresh and in season. Local produce usually tastes better when it’s at its peak.
Bring reusable bags if you’re stocking up. You might leave with more than your list suggested.
Plan Your Trip Around These Hours And Easy Directions
Mark your calendar carefully, because Sundays are off the table. The store closes every Sunday and opens the other six days.
Hours run from 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. That’s a long window for early birds and evening shoppers.
You’ll find the market at 107 Market Dr #8420, Spring Mills, PA 16875. It sits in a quiet valley in Centre County.
The drive itself is part of the charm. Farmland and wooded ridges make the trip feel like a mini getaway.
Parking is plentiful, and much of it is covered. No circling the lot for ten minutes here.
Morning visits work great if you want the breakfast buffet. Later visits suit anyone planning a hot dinner to go.
I can’t imagine a better stop on a Pennsylvania back-road drive. It covers lunch, snacks, groceries, and gas in one go.
Bring a cooler if you live far away. Deli meats, produce, and ice cream all travel better kept cold.
Burkholder’s Country Market proves big ideas can thrive in small places. The doubters had their say, and the store answered with results.
So when your next road trip heads through the valley, plan a stop. Just maybe don’t eat all the whoopie pies before you get home.
