Old Village Mercantile
C
aledonia’s old-fashioned general store serves up 600 varieties of candy, Amish fudge, handcrafted ice cream, coffee and antiques. The Old Village Mercantile is the winner of three Best of the Parkland awards: Best Ice Cream, Best Antique Store and Specialty Shop in Washington County. Owners Nina and Steve Gilliam have owned the mercantile for 20 years. It is an authentic 1909 general store and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “The general stores in the past were always at the center of their community,” said Nina. “We have really made that our mission, to be integrated within our community.” After two decades, the couple are now starting to see generations of smiles at the mercantile. “We now have generations of customers coming in,” said Nina. “They came as babies and now they’re bringing their own babies. It’s been amazing to see all of our wonderful and loyal customers over the years.” Customers visit the Old Village Mercantile from local and far-away places. So far, customers from all 50 states and 29 different countries have visited the mercantile in a tiny town with only 130 residents. Whether they’re new or returning customers, they all enjoy their unique experience at the mercantile, from admiring the beautifully restored historic building to the wide variety of antiques and sweet treats. But perhaps the biggest attraction is the premium handmade artisan ice cream, made fresh onsite by retired teacher Randy Huff. He often uses homemade baked goods and candy from the store to create his unique flavors. Gilliam’s husband is the antique curator for the store. Antiques fill the second floor of the building while sweet treats and gift items will the lower floor. “Customers are welcomed into our store by our amazing staff,” said Nina. “We have excellent customer service, and we offer a variety of delicious and unique products and antiques. Visiting the Old Village Mercantile is more than a shopping trip. It’s an experience.”
Old Village Mercantile
Main Avenue, Caledonia Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday, 10 a .m . to 5 p .m . Phone: 573-779-3907 Website: OldVillageMercantile .com
Owners Nina and Steve Gilliam have owned the mercantile for 20 years.
April 2022 | Best of the Parkland | 49
