At 73, Milo Miller returns to revolutionize the Amish Door Village
When Milo Miller decided to open a restaurant in 1977 that seated only 48 people, he had no idea where this new venture would take him. After all, this move was a drastic change from his previous profession as a mason, a job that was gradually breaking his back.
Thirty-four years later, Miller stands at his office window and gazes at a snowy campus that he and his family have built, a property that now includes an inn, two gift shops, a country market, a bakery, a banquet center and a restaurant that seats almost 10 times more people.
It would seem natural for Miller to be reminiscing about the past three decades. But his vision is fixed directly on the future. He pointed to an empty area of the property and said, “There’s space for a new building right there. But first we need to improve our banquet center’s stage to create more of a theater environment.”
Many in the community know him for his missionary work in Mexico, which he began in 1963. In a small city just across the Texan border named Reynosa, Miller, his wife, Anna Kathryn, and their five children helped start churches and built a Bible school and two Christian day schools. Until recent drug-related violence has made travel to the area too risky, Milo and Anna Kathryn had gone on missions once or more every year for almost 50 years.
“It has been an unbelievable blessing for myself and my family and has helped form my perspective on life,” said Miller.
He has now returned as an active leader for the Amish Door Village. Although he has always retained ownership, Miller had let his son, Joe Miller, and son-in-law, Eric Gerber, handle the daily management for many years. When they moved on to other ventures, he decided that it was time to put some of his ideas into action.
New construction and renovation is likely to be a part of the Amish Door Village’s future. This has already begun with a repainted and decorated dining room and banquet center, along with the development of hiking and walking trails around the farm that visitors are invited to explore. Miller also wants to reward the village’s loyal customers, starting with specials every day in March, such as full meals for $3-$4.
With the help of Randy Troyer, who Miller recently selected as the general manager, Miller sees this change in leadership as an exciting rejuvenation for Amish Door, with possibilities limited only by the imagination.
“This past year has marked a transition for Amish Door, but most of our core staff, that have been with us for decades, are still here,” said Miller. “We have good people here. Very dedicated people. And that’s the number one thing.”
Back at his office window, Miller notices a child walking hand in hand with her grandparents—or so one would assume—from their car to the restaurant. He said, “It’s quite possible that they have been coming since we opened, that they used to bring their children when they were her age.
“We hear from a lot of families whose visits to Amish Door span three generations. It’s amazing, and an honor, that we have created a destination that is this special for so many.”
The Amish Door Village, 1210 Winesburg St., U.S. 62 in Wilmot, is open Monday through Saturday, all year long. Dinner theater and gospel concerts are performed regularly in the banquet center. Baked goods, theater tickets and other goods are available for online purchase at http://www.AmishDoorMarketplace.com. More details about the Amish Door Village are available online at http://www.AmishDoor.com or by phone at 888-264-7436.
Thirty-four years later, Miller stands at his office window and gazes at a snowy campus that he and his family have built, a property that now includes an inn, two gift shops, a country market, a bakery, a banquet center and a restaurant that seats almost 10 times more people.
It would seem natural for Miller to be reminiscing about the past three decades. But his vision is fixed directly on the future. He pointed to an empty area of the property and said, “There’s space for a new building right there. But first we need to improve our banquet center’s stage to create more of a theater environment.”
Many in the community know him for his missionary work in Mexico, which he began in 1963. In a small city just across the Texan border named Reynosa, Miller, his wife, Anna Kathryn, and their five children helped start churches and built a Bible school and two Christian day schools. Until recent drug-related violence has made travel to the area too risky, Milo and Anna Kathryn had gone on missions once or more every year for almost 50 years.
“It has been an unbelievable blessing for myself and my family and has helped form my perspective on life,” said Miller.
He has now returned as an active leader for the Amish Door Village. Although he has always retained ownership, Miller had let his son, Joe Miller, and son-in-law, Eric Gerber, handle the daily management for many years. When they moved on to other ventures, he decided that it was time to put some of his ideas into action.
New construction and renovation is likely to be a part of the Amish Door Village’s future. This has already begun with a repainted and decorated dining room and banquet center, along with the development of hiking and walking trails around the farm that visitors are invited to explore. Miller also wants to reward the village’s loyal customers, starting with specials every day in March, such as full meals for $3-$4.
With the help of Randy Troyer, who Miller recently selected as the general manager, Miller sees this change in leadership as an exciting rejuvenation for Amish Door, with possibilities limited only by the imagination.
“This past year has marked a transition for Amish Door, but most of our core staff, that have been with us for decades, are still here,” said Miller. “We have good people here. Very dedicated people. And that’s the number one thing.”
Back at his office window, Miller notices a child walking hand in hand with her grandparents—or so one would assume—from their car to the restaurant. He said, “It’s quite possible that they have been coming since we opened, that they used to bring their children when they were her age.
“We hear from a lot of families whose visits to Amish Door span three generations. It’s amazing, and an honor, that we have created a destination that is this special for so many.”
The Amish Door Village, 1210 Winesburg St., U.S. 62 in Wilmot, is open Monday through Saturday, all year long. Dinner theater and gospel concerts are performed regularly in the banquet center. Baked goods, theater tickets and other goods are available for online purchase at http://www.AmishDoorMarketplace.com. More details about the Amish Door Village are available online at http://www.AmishDoor.com or by phone at 888-264-7436.
Published: February 17, 2011
