Notes from this year at the Mercantile

This year didn’t hurry us along.
It asked us to slow down, to pay attention, to keep showing up even when the days felt heavy and the answers weren’t always clear. There were moments of deep gratitude and moments that stretched us thin, but woven through all of it was the steady reminder that meaningful work is rarely loud, it’s

Inside the Mercantile, the year unfolded one ordinary, beautiful moment at a time. We wrapped packages destined for kitchens we’ll never see, knowing they’d hold family meals, quiet mornings, and celebrations yet to come. We watched familiar faces come through the door and met new ones who felt like friends right away. Some days were bustling, some were slow enough to hear the creak of the floors but every day mattered.

We’re especially proud of what was made here this year. Every wooden piece that left our doors (boards, countertops, and everything in between) was crafted right here in our factory, by hand, in small-town Mississippi. And every candle sold through Laurel Mercantile and Scent Library was hand-poured here as well, mixed and finished under the same roof. It still feels incredible to say that so much of what made its way into homes across the country began right here, inside these walls, made by people who care deeply about doing things

This was also the year we nearly opened The Heirloom. We were so close, until a devastating fire changed the timeline and set us back in ways we never expected. It was heartbreaking, and the pause has been hard, but it hasn’t been the end of the story. Not forever. We’re still here, still working, still believing in renewal. Brick by brick, day by day, we’re building toward what comes

Laurel carried its own rhythm this year. Busy seasons filled with energy and visitors, quieter months where the town seemed to exhale together. Lights came down and went back up again (thank you construction). Porches were swept, doors were opened, and life continued at the pace it always has here. We’re constantly reminded that this place isn’t just where we work; it’s part of the story we’re telling.

More than anything, this year reminded us how grateful we are. For the people who choose to shop small. For those who believe that craftsmanship and community still matter. For the neighbors who support us, the customers who come back year after year, and the ones who find us for the first time and decide to stay awhile.

If the year taught us anything, it’s that faithfulness is key. That showing up, again and again, builds something lasting. That beauty doesn’t have to shout to be meaningful. And that there is deep value in making space for home, for gathering, for things that feel familiar and true.

As we look toward the year ahead, we do so with open hands. We’re carrying forward what worked, releasing what didn’t, and trusting that the next season will meet us exactly where we are. Laurel Mercantile will keep doing what it’s always done—creating thoughtful goods for everyday life, right here in our hometown.

Thank you for being part of this place.
We’re so glad you’re here!