Des Moines Mercantile Is An Iowa-Proud General Store With An Old-Fashioned Soul
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 12, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Here at OnlyInYourState, we have a big love for all things local. Not only does this mean exploring state parks and neighborhood restaurants, but it also means, quite literally, shopping local. Supporting local businesses is crucial, especially in the marketplace of online shops and big-box stores in which we find ourselves today, in 2023.
Shopping locally, as it were, is an endangered experience — but in Iowa, there’s an old-fashioned store that’s the epitome of celebrating the local economy. Des Moines Mercantile is your classic, All-American general store. It’s the kind of “one-stop shop” that’s since been replaced by the hulking behemoths now found in every American town, suburb, and city. It’s a celebration of Iowa-made wares and a place where quality and customer service reign supreme. In short, it’s everything we look for when combing the US of A for standout businesses to represent their respective states in this Small Business Spotlight series.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Snuggled in a cozy corner in the historical Highland Park business district of Des Moines, Iowa, there is an impossibly charming general store that's a sweet and sincere celebration of shopping locally.
However, unlike some of ye olde shoppes of yesteryear, Des Moines Mercantile is a fresh and forward-thinking place with a fresh and forward-thinking proprietor.
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This is Mallory Richardson, the owner of Des Moines Mercantile. The store is the fulfillment of a life-long dream of hers.
"I have lived in a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, for a handful of years that has a small business district. It had been a dream of mine to own a shop that sells from local makers for a long time and a handful of the buildings in our neighborhood were empty," she explains.
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A few years ago, Richardson and her husband saw a "for rent" sign in the neighborhood "and went for it," she says.
"It just felt like the right time," she muses, even though, as fate would have it, the right time to open business coincided with a global pandemic – an event that shuttered many a small business owner's doors.
"I have a passion for supporting people who make things by hand and celebrating their craftsmanship by making it available to the community," she explains.
"Even from a young age, I loved going to little shops with my parents on vacations and drew inspiration even [then]!"
Three years after opening, this tiny-but-mighty mercantile has become a true community cornerstone, selling everything from housewares and homemade jams to kitchen essentials and beautiful gifts.
"Our merchandise celebrates simpler times through quality craftsmanship of everyday goods," says Richardson. "We strive to provide an experience that feels like home; where everyone is welcome and where anyone can find something to treasure."
It's certainly worked – not only is Des Moines Mercantile a place folks love to shop, but it's also become a space for community events and fellowship.
"We have pop-ups and markets every so often as larger events for the community," she says, adding that these connections are one of the best parts of being a small business owner.
Even better? Not only is Des Moines Mercantile a woman-owned small business, but about 75 percent of the store's inventory is made by women or is sourced from another woman-owned business.
What a wonderful way to shop local and support female makers and proprietors – and pick up some impossibly charming wares and gifts in the process.
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Because at the end of the day, Des Moines Mercantile might not be big or flashy, but it's authentic and soulful. This is a place to go when you want a meaningful shopping experience – a place where, by offering your business, you're really offering your support and appreciation – one Iowa-made sale at a time.
Many thanks to Mallory Richardson, owner of this delightful mercantile in Des Moines, Iowa. Learn more about Des Moines Mercantile at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Of course, Des Moines Mercantile is just one of many wonderful local businesses in Iowa; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Iowa article. And be sure to follow Only In Iowa on Facebook and Instagram to learn about this region of the Hawkeye State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
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