A Sunny Side Trip to Orlinda

If you’re looking for a scenic side trip in the northern Middle Tennessee area, I suggest you take a driving excursion through Orlinda, Tenn., the “Sunniest Spot in the Tennessee.” This part of Robertson County is rolling farm country, and you’ll see a myriad of crops lining the fields. This is a nice drive from Springfield to Portland to the interstate, or as a side trip from Cross Plains via East Robertson Road.

“Downtown” Orlinda is just a few old buildings, and the old 1860s dry goods building has been re-vitalized by Harris Green and is now home to the Orlinda Produce Co. This charming brick store is filled with nostalgia and visitors can choose from in-season fruits and vegetables, many locally grown, and get a cold drink for the road. Store hours are Mon-Sat 7:30 to 5:30. You can also find them at the Robertson County Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. The back of the store is the wood workshop for Harris and Curt Chaffin who transform local barnwood into harvest tables, outdoor chairs and more.

Just a little ways down the road towards Springfield in a little white house is the newly opened Sunny Spot Antiques, Bakery & Gifts. Amy Bernard and mother Janet Wimpee are the bakers for the shop, creating cookies, teacakes, baked donuts, cakes, pies and fried pies for their “Fried Pie Fridays”. Janet also creates custom wedding cakes, cupcakes and special occasion cakes. They serve Cumberland Valley Coffee, fresh roasted in Greenbrier, Tenn., to accompany their divine desserts.

Janet’s husband David is the antique contributor and has had a booth at the Springfield Antique Barn for six years. He has a collection of over 1,000 old fruit jars available for sale or rent for special occasions. They also feature local artisan’s including a quilter and stitcher, as well as gifts, local jams and Red River Honey.

The century-old house was originally a tenant house and then later a rental on the family dairy farm. “Lots of people have come in and said they used to live here,” said Amy. It took a complete renovation on the old house and it makes a charming shop. They have a picnic table in the shade for visitors to “sit a spell” and enjoy their desserts, coffee and the rural scenery. Sunny Spot is open Thursday and Friday 10-5 and Saturday 9-4 and be sure and get there early for the best bakery selection!

The roads around Orlinda are curvy country roads, so slow down and enjoy the countryside!

By Jamie Dudiak, Greenbrier, Tennessee