Mid City’s latest gem opened on Government Street last month: Mid City Mercantile, an all-purpose space for gifts, clothes, decor—and even hair and nail maintenance.
Owner Kimberly Abel says the idea for the store came about when her son, Ian, graduated from cosmetology school. “We just brainstormed and came up with this unique place,” Abel says.
The shop, which opened to the public in June, sells home decor, an assortment for knick-knacks for gift-giving occasions, and vintage clothing. It also includes multiple rooms for independent stylists to work on clients’ hair, as well as one room dedicated to manicures and pedicures. Salon appointments are booked through each stylist.
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With Abel’s son as her business partner, her daughter working as a seasonal employee when she’s not in school, and some of the nail and hair stylists employed as long-time friends of Abel’s, she says it’s a true family-and-friends operation.
“It’s just fun,” she says. “We love to be here, and we love coming to work. We’ll even come to the store in our pajamas.”
Abel and her son look for merchandise everywhere they go. They also frequent Mid City Makers Market to connect with artists, and the work of several local artists, jewelry and accessory designers is represented on the shelves. Some artists represented in the store include BigBrownBat Ceramics and GLO Designs.
“We travel a lot, so we’ll pick up stuff on the road,” Abel says. “We’re pretty creative.”
Abel says the art and objects for sale—as well as the decor—reflect her personal taste. A Christmas tree in the back, for instance, mimics the one that remains up in her house all year long.
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“It’s probably been up for the past six years,” Abel says. “I just think it’s pretty, and I like the lights.”
Instead of holiday-themed ornaments, this tree bears ornaments depicting musicians or “funny, funky” things, she says.
Mid City Mercantile is at 3622 Government St. The store’s hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.