Aldie Peddler is a growing business many people see often when passing through Aldie. Filling three buildings, the shop offers a variety of antiques, Amish furniture, wine and gifts, but the owners first started with a completely different business in mind.

"We first bought the house in 1997 as a real estate venture," said Terry Cotton. "We expected the Loudoun County growth to raise the value of our investment, our plan was to sell in two years and move on."

Co-owner Wally Lunceford, who many in Middleburg know well as that tall guy who makes you laugh as you check out at the Safeway, added, "We got to know the people of Aldie and realized we were part of a community and we didn't want to leave."

The store's many loyal customers shop for quality, reasonably priced wines (10% discount on a case), and are looking forward to the new gourmet cheeses, olives and salsas. The store has wine bags, bottle toppers, and a wide selection of gift items and humorous birthday cards. They enjoy picking through the interesting collection of country antiques, vintage 40's kitchenware and lithographs.

Outside the store is a large collection of Amish outdoor furniture. The story behind these products is that Terry, on a visit home to Pennsylvania, picked up a couple of Amish bent wood rockers for his own house. People kept stopping and asked if they could buy them, so he bought a couple here and there. They were snapped up and all was going well when the Amish family, who fabricates the furniture by hand without electricity, switched over to poly lumber. "We didn't know if people would like the poly lumber, but we put a couple out front and they sold immediately." The sole source, Aldie Peddler's outdoor furniture never needs painting, and is impervious to weather, insects, and rot. Terry explains, "As they're made by hand by a single Amish family, delivery is four to six weeks - people who have a deadline should order in advance."

The Aldie Peddler enjoys a large number of repeat customers. "We make friends with our customers, kind of like family," says Wally. "Some of our customers even come to our private parties. They especially love our goats!"

Aldie Peddler
PO Box 531
39484 John Mosby Highway
Aldie, Virginia 20105
703-327-6743
aldiepeddler.com
Aldietwo@aol.com