LEE COUNTY - The Love Lee County Tour is returning and growing in 2022. Join the fun and road trip through the countryside to 15 family-owned businesses all located in beautiful, rural Lee County.
The tour begins Friday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
New to the tour this year is Chestnut Hill Pottery, 3198 Old Quarry Road, Wever, who will be opening their new studio to visitors for the first time. They create functional and sculptural stoneware for the home and garden and will also be hosting other local artists.
Also joining the tour this year at their on-farm location is Lee County Floral, 1738 180th Street, Donnellson. Lee County Floral will be offering build-your-own fresh bouquets, as well as having other plants and arrangements available at their flower farm.
Appletree Antiques is a country-neighbor to Lee County Floral, located at 1805 180th Street, Donnellson. They carry a huge selection of antiques, primitives, furniture, collectable treasures and also feature a barn-warehouse overflowing with fresh farm estate finds. M.B. Weber Mercantile is another treasured rural antique shop that specializes in primitives, refurbished and one-of-a-kind pieces. They are farther off the beaten path at 2237 234th Street, Donnellson, and well worth the adventure to find!
The most beautiful gardens on the tour and perhaps in the county belong to Hillcrest Hostas & More, 2292 Hillcrest Road, Donnellson. Hillcrest Hostas is a small plant nursery specializing in hostas, daylilies, grasses and a wide variety of additional perennials. While you’re in the area, stop by Harvestville Farms at 1977 Highway 2, Donnellson for some fresh veggies, home and garden décor or lunch at their Pitchfork Café.
Appleberry Orchard will be opening their farm-market store just for the tour and are serving up fresh baked strawberry pies and apple cider donuts from their bakery, and will be grilling turkey legs on Saturday and Sunday. Appleberry Orchard is located at 2469 Highway 2, Donnellson and offers a wide variety of gifts and gourmet foods in their farm store.
Hinterland Dairy can take care of your dinner plans on Friday with grilled cheese and fried curds from 4-6. They will be debuting their new strawberry ice cream for the tour, and serving up scoops and cones of all their handmade flavors all weekend.
Hinterland Dairy, 2149 Franklin Road, Donnellson, crafts aged cheddars, fresh cheese curds, and German-style quark right on their dairy with milk from the family’s milking herd. Cheese pairs nicely with wine, and thankfully Christian Herschler Winery and Stagecoach Stop is located near the dairy at 503 Franklin 6th Street. Step back in time and enjoy 100+ year old wine recipes along with a little history at their historic stone home.
Find local premium beef and pork at J & L Farms, a family-farm at 2270 Highway 16, West Point. They have all-cuts of meat available in their old-fashioned barn store are excellent for grilling season! Quarry Creek Elk & Bison Company also carries many products great for the grill-many cuts of elk and buffalo steaks and meat that are raised right on the farm. They will be having samples all weekend and also carry a wide selection of gifts, boots and apparel in their store at 1866 303rd Ave, Ft. Madison.
Make the short trek to 3077 170th Street Ft. Madison where you’ll find Angels & Outlaws Boutique, a unique shop that carries something for the entire family, plus, your horse! They showcase trendy and affordable clothing of a wide variety of styles and sizes. You can then walk to the next stop, Four B Tack & More, 3077 170th Street, where you’ll find a full line of quality boots for men, women and children, clothes and horse tack.
Southern Lee County boasts one of many tourists’ favorite stops on the tour- Green Frog Distillery, located at 3345 270th Avenue, Keokuk. Green Frog is a family-owned corn whiskey distillery and will be celebrating the tour with free distillery tours, tastings, and $2 off all apparel. While you’re on the way to the distillery don’t miss Jim’s Greenhouse-the largest greenhouse in the county at 2407 280th Street, Montrose. Jim’s Greenhouse carries a huge selection of annuals, perennials, herbs and fresh veggies.
The Love Lee County Tour began in 2019 to create an entertaining weekend for the community and highlight the “hidden gems” located right here in rural Lee County.
The tour has grown to include more locations and these family-owned businesses are excited to welcome and entertain all visitors with a fun weekend celebrating businesses off the beaten path!
For more information, head to any participating business, check out the Facebook event page, or contact Shannon Wellman at 319-470-4313.
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