Touring The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed
TL;DR: The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed, near Syracuse, NY, started as an apple orchard in the 1960s, later transforming into a furniture store. In 2017, owners Erica and Patrick expanded into a community market with local vendors, now partnering with nearly sixty vendors offering handmade products, vintage items, children’s toys, and more. Recently joining Harvest Hosts, they offer five pet-friendly RV spaces and a charming walking trail, making it a must-visit stop for travelers in upstate New York.
Harvest Hosts is an incredibly unique RV membership program. Through this program, members are granted access to 5352 host locations across North America for overnight accommodations with no camping fees. To support each of these businesses, members typically make a small purchase of wine or produce or whatever it is that the business is selling or offering. Locations include establishments such as farms, wineries, breweries, museums, restaurants, attractions, and more. The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed is a perfect example of one of our unique hosts. Located near Syracuse, New York, this shop is a true community effort. Continue on to learn all about:
- The history of The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed
- The business today
- When they joined Harvest Hosts.
The History
The property known as Johnny Appleseed began as an apple orchard in the 1960s. However, the economic landscape prompted the original owners, Owen and Florence Gilmore, to diversify as a furniture store. Erica, Florence’s daughter-in-law, dreamed of opening a unique community market. In 2017, Erica and husband Patrick, along with some help from Florence, rebranded the furniture store and expanded to become a community shop with local vendors. On opening day they partnered with four vendors. Over time, they’ve expanded even further to include The Apple Kitchen, which serves coffee, wine, and local craft beer.
The Business Today
Today, The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed partners with nearly sixty vendors offering a variety of products. Visitors are typically delighted with both the overall size of the shop and also with the variety of products offered. Here, vendors create and sell handmade products such as soaps, candles, jewelry, clothing, quilts, wooden products, and more, while antiquers sell a curate collection of vintage signs, books, records, and furniture.There are children’s toys and games, pet products and decor, musical instruments, and so much more. This is the perfect place to find a gift for someone special in your life and to even purchase gifts for upcoming holidays. They also offer food and drinks at various times, and visitors tend to love enjoying snacks while perusing their goods.
Joining Harvest Hosts
The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed is a newer Harvest Hosts location, but they are not to be missed. Be sure to allow yourself at least an hour to discover the treasures waiting for you in the shop. They even offer several crafts and products catered specifically to RVers. After an exciting tour of the store, unwind from your drive with a walk around their property with their walking trail. If you’re staying on the weekend, be sure to visit The Apple Kitchen for a delicious lunch of soup, sandwiches, and desserts. This Harvest Hosts location offers five reservable, pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size. The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed is a wonderful and unique addition to our New York Hosts. They perfectly display the uniqueness of the Harvest Hosts experience. Be sure to stop by on your next trip through upstate New York!
