A local store in North Mount Pleasant is expanding its services, size and presence in the East Cooper community. Sweetgrass Mercantile, managed by two of the longest operating merchants in town, is ready to welcome new vendors after only being in business for three months.
Linda Page, former mayor and former owner of Page's Thieves Market, and John Royall, owner of Royall Ace Hardware and Sweetgrass Hardware, are working together to create a community gathering place by expanding the number of Sweetgrass Mercantile vendors. Inside the hardware store located on Highway 17, the 2,500 square-foot antique and vintage shop is currently providing a sales space to 35 local businesses.
Sweetgrass Hardware store manager, Jeff Boss is working alongside Page and Royall to generate a successful business space.
Linda Page Estates and Auctions moved into Sweetgrass in November after closing Page’s Thieves Market on Ben Sawyer Boulevard. Page explains that they started the concept of the Mercantile earlier this year to create a community hub in the northern end of town while helping small businesses.
"The great part of what we have accomplished so far is we've created little spaces to allow an individual to start their own business in the Town of Mount Pleasant," Page said. "It's tough for small businesses particularly in Mount Pleasant. It's high rent and a lot of competition."
Masking tape on the floor of the hardware store delineates each vendor's space. Sweetgrass Mercantile offers as low as $95 a month for a single 4x5 foot wall space, up to unlimited. Page said that in the future they could probably offer as much as 1,000 square feet to someone.
In return for operating the business in their store, they retain 10% of all profits. Businesses that wish to operate in the space apply and go through a vetting process to ensure the businesses there operate like a family.
"We try not to compete with each other. We certainly want to compliment each other and we want to compliment the hardware store," Page said.
Boss agreed that having the mercantile inside the hardware store generates a perfect community gathering place. He explained in one visit you can take care of everything from sending mail from their post office, eating food at Not Just Franks restaurant outside, buying new plants, getting a spare key made or browsing paints for your next project.
"We want to be that place that makes that happen," Boss said, "...You're exploring local artisan, local food and getting a taste of where you already are. Then connections happen; you meet people."
And now, instead of just stopping at the hardware store, you can also browse the various vendor booths.
Mercantile's merchants include self-care vendors selling soaps, lotions, pet supplies, candles and jewelry; a local CBD oil business based out of Huger; a guitar shop; Dockside Engraving, selling pre-made and custom products; custom ordered wedding cakes; handcrafted products by two women who also sell at events in town and at shows; Karen's Korner located on Ben Sawyer sells products there; two other women who started their business online; a full furniture line out of Orangeburg; vendors from the Charleston City Market; the Painted Dragonfly on Johnnie Dodds recently joined; The Red Dresser on Shem Creek sells products and a handful of other vendors.
Page estimates that over 50% of the products in the mercantile are handcrafted. In the future, they hope to see local books and author readings make their way into the store. They have also thought about adding a grab-and-go local food area for people to buy lunch and dinner.
"We don't want to make it; we want to find a vendor that wants to make that and have them here," Boss explained.
Page said she's heard an overwhelming word of success from these vendors and is looking forward to expanding Sweetgrass Mercantile.
"They realize this retail business incubator. It's kind of the old co-op where we're working together. You lessen your expenses and get more exposure. So it's working," Page said.
The owners see the mercantile as a golden small business expansion opportunity for a service oriented niche, such as a handy man, pool company and other partners who are looking to touch their neighbors with their service.
When it comes to why a vendor would choose to operate at Sweetgrass Mercantile, Page and Boss said the reason is easy. They have even seen several merchants open new business areas in other parts of the Lowcountry since being there.
"We run the business for them. We think that's one of our biggest assets. We have our own sales counter, so they're not required to work," Page said.
Their vendors all have their individual business licenses with the town and many have other locations or full-time jobs selling their products.
The mercantile is hopeful that not only vendors from other parts of town will come see what they have to offer, but customers as well.
"Somehow we're not telling the great Mount Pleasant story up here," Page said, referencing the northern end of town.
Page lived in the Old Village for many years until she moved into Brickyard Plantation this summer. She explained she is transitioning from knowing everyone in her neighborhood to having only met two neighbors so far. But, she is ready to change that by getting involved in her new community. She wants the concept of the old Thieves Market to be replicated at Sweetgrass Mercantile and create a place where people want to go to get to know one another.
Since she moved across town, Page said she's realized things are only a matter of being a few miles down the road. She hopes others will change their perception of travel time across town and she'd like to see more community events trickle up into their area.
"Come meet your neighbors. Many people don't know their neighbors, so this is a chance where you're going to see them standing in line at the post office, having lunch outside or shopping in here," Boss said.
Sweetgrass Hardware is looking to expand the mercantile space inside to local business vendors.
Page explains that the hardware store sets itself apart from others with its customer service, and that gesture reflects in all areas of the store. In addition to the hardware, lawn and garden aspects of the store, Page said that auctions and antiques will always be a part of the mix of products they offer.
The owners are open to the public's suggestions for what they should offer next as they begin planning its expansion.
"We are supporting each other. We are not competing with each other. We are businesses working together. John Royall and I 100 percent agree that this is small business helping small business. We can get you started here and you can grow; that's a great thing about an incubator" Page said.
