Today we’d like to introduce you to Daphne Bowman.
Hi Daphne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Owned by Jim and Daphne Bowman, The Mercantile has been an Excelsior Springs hidden gem for over 20 years since its opening in 2005. Both Jim and Daphne have extensive backgrounds in hospitality & tourism, making their cute shop the amazing place it is today.
Starting out as an antique store and quickly evolving with the vintage vibe, they added locally sourced goods to their curated collection of furniture and antiques. Very quickly, the Missouri Made handcrafted soaps, gifts and goods began to be what they were known for. In 2008 they added Missouri Wines and the rest is history. Willow Spring Mercantile is a quaint boutique retailer in the Kansas City area showcasing All Missouri, All the time, with gifts, goods, and the state’s largest selection of Missouri wines, craft beers and distilled spirits. Additionally, you can enjoy lunch in their cute bistro in the basement wine cellar. They prepare lunch with fresh and local ingredients, catering to special dietary needs and gluten-free requests.
A gift shop on the main floor includes Missouri Wines, distilled spirits & Craft Beers, gourmet chocolates from Christopher Elbow & Chocolate, Chocolate Chocolate, hand crafted soaps, candles, kitchen decor, gem stone and sterling silver jewelry, gourmet foods including garlics, jams, sauces, local honey, fresh roasted coffee beans, loose leaf teas, plus, they create gift Baskets, and so much more.
Downstairs you will find a bistro and wine cellar where diners can relax and slow down to enjoy a gourmet lunch, and a wonderful bottle of wine from a Missouri winery – or grab a craft beer from one of wonderful breweries from around the state.
At Willow Spring Mercantile, we are a family owned business and treat all who walk through our doors as just that – family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any small business, navigating the ups and downs of the economy has been a creative work in progress. Change is really the only thing that stays the same in a small business. Weathering housing market crashes, several recessions and presidential changes, the pandemic years and even most recently the “no level of drinking is safe movement”, makes for a wild ride but embracing the chaos is what our team is good at. Willow Spring Mercantile is a combination of local support and tourism from the regional area, so catering to both markets has been what’s been very successful for us. Fortunately, the beautiful Elms Hotel is supportive of the downtown and our business and sends their guests our way. The hotel is iconic and a special part of our success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Willow Spring Mercantile?
being in business for over 20 Years has been a special part of our life as business owners and with our family. You become the face of your business and we have enjoyed turning customers into friends. Guests from all over the region come back and visit annually or multiple times per year to visit and check in. The local community supports us weekly. This relationship part of our business is what sets us apart. Each customer is a guest in ‘our home’ at the Mercantile. Our very knowledgeable staff is able to help visitors with our unique curated collection of All Missouri Made goods that many may not recognize. Connections with our customers are important and it’s not just what we say, it’s what we believe. Because we specialize in Missouri Made, we are proud of all our brands. We have selected them specifically because of their quality and the people who create them. We have made wonderful relationships with our vendors and understand their passion for creating their products. We have the ability to then relay that to our customers…tell stories that go hand in hand with what they are about to purchase.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Both Jim and Daphne grew up in the service industry. All the jobs and careers they had prior to opening their doors in 2005 laid the foundation for Willow Spring Mercantile. Jim had experience on guest ranches in Colorado, retail and restaurant experience along with sales. Daphne was in food service, retail and tourism along with management experience. Together, their combination of experience helped set their business up for success. As a couple who enjoys the outdoors and has many passions including travel being their favorite, they understand what a guest experience should look like when people walk into their shop. Its about treating people how you want to be treated, and its in every part of the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopthemercantile.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowspringmercantile/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowSpringMercantile
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/willow-spring-mercantile-excelsior-springs
