Olde Town Mercantile on North Congress Street in York, SC, sits in a building from the late 1800s that was once Boylin’s Department Store. It stood empty for several years. Jessica and Mikey Cooke reopened it as a modern take on the traditional general store, and they kept the original shelving.
The slogan is “Tradition Meets Today.” The shelves hold local honey, beef jerky and vintage snacks meant to bring back childhood. There are also chips from Charleston, peanuts from North Carolina, and products from independent, family-owned businesses. You’ll find name-brand men’s and women’s apparel and college football tumblers too. The Cookes have planned a small pharmacy corner for basics like ibuprofen.
They asked their customers what to stock. One Facebook post about which brands people wanted drew more than 100 comments. Mikey Cooke described the shop as a community hub where downtown workers can grab a snack. Jessica Cooke said serving the wider Carolinas also supports local residents and the local economy.
The Cookes also own Blush Blossom Boutique, which they opened in York about three years before the Mercantile, a few doors down. Together the two shops are a family bet on downtown York.
Next time you’re on Congress Street, stop in. Pick a snack you haven’t had since you were a kid.
11 N Congress St , York, SC, United States, 29745
