Wayne County Indiana – Food Fun!
There is so much to see and do in beautiful Wayne County Indiana! While there, we were hosted by Richmond’s Indiana – Wayne County. Nancy Sartain took us on a wonderful food journey! Our visit started on a sweet note at Abbott Candies!
Abbott Candies
Got a sweet tooth? We do! We started our tour of Wayne County at Abbott’s Candies where owner Jay Noel gave us a tour. Located in Hagerstown Abbott Candies is the oldest candy store in Indiana!
Jay said the story begins in 1871 when W.C. Abbott was employed as a traveling salesman for a candy manufacturer. Deciding he wanted to start his own candy business, he returned to his hometown of Hagerstown.
First, he opened a restaurant while experimenting with the first candy he would create. His first batch was butterscotch. Selling the café, he focused on opening a candy store. He moved the manufacturing to his own garage. Today they still use his basics, marble slabs to cool the candy, and a kiss cutter to cut the strips of caramel and taffy. Annie and I got the rare pleasure of watching them pour caramel from the kettle onto the marble slab, then cut the cooled candy in the 1890’s kiss cutter.
Jay and Lynn
The business was handed down through generations, and eventually moved into the current building, a former Presbyterian Church built in 1851. The store was sold to current owners Jay and Lynn, who had been with Abbott for years. “We had been in the candy business for 20 years,” Jay added. “We still use WC’s recipes.
There are several high points for Abbotts Candies. They provided caramels for Bob Hope’s 100th birthday. Lynn Cheney wrote a book, about places to stop in the states, and Abbott’s is listed. Jay took us through the building and delighted us with all they have available in their gift shop. Annie and I both had to take home caramels to the family. The samples we bought ourselves didn’t make it home, and maybe not even out of the Abbott driveway!
More zany fun at Uranus Fudge Factory
Have you been to one of the crazy Uranus Fudge Factories? If not, you are in for a treat when you go and some crazy fun. Nancy shared, “Uranus Fudge Factory opened in December of 2024. “We are the 3rd one, the first was in Missouri.”
Mo Lambert of Visit Anderson Madison County Indiana said they had one in their area as well. I had forgotten how much fun a visit is. Besides the great tasting fudge, they also had fun gift items, there was something for kids of every age to enjoy. Nancy even found a Johnny Cash lunchbox!
Outside there is a dinosaur park and they even move.
Next Door!
Next door used to be a Christian center. The beautiful cross and statue of Jesus was associated with that. The “Mayor of Uranus” Nancy said decided the cross and religious statue would remain. “He had throat cancer and was healed. He said the cross stays, I believe in the power of prayer.”
Dealing with a kidney cancer diagnosis earlier this year and being healed through prayer, I too am a firm believer.
Besides the candy options, BBQ and more can be found in Wayne County.
Firehouse BBQ & Blues
During our visit, Annie and I stayed at the Gennett Mansion, home of previous owners of Starr Piano Co and founders of Gennett Record family. Downtown you can find some of this fascinating musical history. When we dined at Firehouse BBQ and Blues, we saw blues connections right away! Posters of blues legends like Blind Lemon Jefferson were on the wall. There was also a stage where music is performed often.
We enjoyed the Gennett Recording connections along with the amazing food in this former firehouse.
Seeing the picture of Blind Lemon Jefferson, we had to listen to some of his music. We are now fans. It was sad though to learn that he froze to death in a snowstorm in our own Chicago, Illinois.
In Illinois we have Amish in the Arthur area, and I always love a chance to visit this wonderful community.
Fountain Acres Amish Market and Fountain Acres
Annie and I met Nancy and Julie Chance at Fountain Acres Amish Market. Fountain Acres Foods is a one-stop shopping destination for bulk foods, full-service deli, homestyle bakery, variety store items, with a huge selection of outdoor furniture. We lived like locals and had lunch here! We had sandwiches made on homemade bread, with fresh meats and cheese! Then we took our picnic luncheon and sat out on the Amish made outdoor furniture in the sunshine. Yum!
They state it right when they share on their website, “Everything Your Pantry Needs and the Quality Your Family Deserves”. After our meal we headed just down the road to the Amish Auction.
The Auction!
Julie who is an old pro, shared with us the ins and outs of local Amish Auctions where you could find items in bulk. The auctions take place Mondays and Fridays year-round. During the summer months there is a Wednesday auction as well. “If you get a $10.00 card, it is always good,” Julie said.
We enjoyed looking over the straw bales, pumpkins, gourds and current vegetables.
Fun at Lumpy’s Cafe
We had breakfast at Lumpy’s Cafe in Cambridge City. When looking for this fun little diner, don’t trust Waze, it just kept taking us to an attorney’s office. A sweet Cambridge City woman shared with us just how to get there. We thanked her, and headed to the cafe with great food, fun signs, and more!
The owner Jessica Weilenman said it has been a restaurant since 1999. Jessica, her husband and mom bought it in 2014. “We just repainted,” she shared. “It is a busy cafe. The guy we bought it from, his friend was Lumpy,” she said about the unusual name. The friend had made the suggestion to buy it, and he named it after him in his honor.
The No. 9 Grill!
After checking out Dougherty Orchards & Winery, and Pilgrimage Winery & Vineyard, we headed to the No. 9 Grill. Located in Cambridge City, a former transportation center along the Whitewater canal route, you can still see this unique history in downtown. The Whitewater Canal operated from 1836 until 1863!
At No. 9 Grill, I enjoyed a patty melt and a visit with owner Brandon Fortman. “We opened in November of 2012. The building was a grocery store and before that Knights of Pythias #9 Lodge,” Brandon shared giving insight into the name.
After learning this, curious, I had to look up this fraternal organization. On their website I learned, “The non-sectarian Order is based on the principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence through community service. It was founded on February 19, 1864, by Justus H. Rathbone in Washington, D, C., in part to help bring the country together after the Civil War.”
About the Grill!
Brandon added, “It is a family thing. me, my two cousins, Tyler and John, and dad Brent and Uncle Kent opened it. We just felt like the town was missing a sit down with family and friends’ kind of place.”
They hit the mark! Here you can enjoy a steak dinner, burger, and just plain good food. They recently added another restaurant to their mix. “Our dads once owned Lakeview, and we recently opened it.” Congrats!
The Red Front Grill
While in Cambridge City we enjoyed antiquing along main street. when we headed back to Richmond, we stopped for pizza at the Red Front Grill.
This busy pizza place offered a delectable salad and great pizza with lots of cheese oozing out of it!
Kitchen manager, Stephanie Burkoker spoke with us. “We will be open five years in November,” she shared. “We have a huge menu, we sell lots of burgers, pizza, wings, and sub sandwiches. The favorite is Italian, Turkey, and Philly. We keep adding on items like our Brisket burger.”
The original Red Front Grill opened in New Paris, Indiana and they have other locations as well. “We take pride in having the coldest beer in town,” Stephanie said before leaving us to finish off our salad and amazing pizza!
AJ’s, an iconic breakfast spot.
At A.J’s Main Street Diner, it is all about the food. AJ’s in Richmond is an iconic place for breakfast. Annie and I loved meeting the owner Josh Orbik and hearing how they got started. Open for almost ten years now, Josh said, “This has been open since the 1950’s. The name AJ’s stands for my wife Amanda and me.”
Josh and Amanda have three girls growing up in the restaurant business. “My 14-year-old, she’d get up when she was five and come to work with me and hand out menus, then I would take her to school.”
A long timer in the restaurant business, Josh said, “I’ve been cooking for about 30 years now. I was taught by a guy who cooked and was at Pearl Harbor. He worked at Paulee’s Restaurant, and he was Paul’s brother Lee.”
Details
Being handy Josh said after buying it, they gutted the place and built most everything themselves. With longtime customers coming to support them he shared,” There were about 40 people when we started that followed me. They never ordered, just said, ‘cook for me’. Old timers would be here at 5:30 or 6:30, then go to work. We have no reservations, no favorites that is our secret.”
Josh credited his staff, Rusty the dishwasher, and Alisha and Mary servers and his cook Aaron with their success.
Olde Richmond Inn
Lunch was a charming affair at the Olde Richmond Inn. A historic place, the old Richmond Inn (originally the Grothaus House) was built by Ferdinand Grouhaus in 1892. We loved the beauty, charm and food.
I had never seen the use of eraser boards for menus. Fun.
The day was a vigorous one with lots of outdoor activity. We wound up our dining adventures at the wonderful Yamato Steak House, a Japanese style restaurant!
It was as my husband Keith would say, “swanky”. The decor was fascinating and the food great!
Food, fun and more in Wayne County Indiana. Stay tuned for more stories about our fun, fun trip!
