It’s (Sort of) Our Anniversary! Celebrating 19 Years of Red Barn Mercantile

This Saturday, March 14, we are celebrating (almost) 19 years of business! I have always thought about doing an anniversary event—and have even done one or two over the years—but our anniversary is technically in the fall (for all three stores). That time of year is just too busy and full of other things to add another event. So, we are moving it. Why not? They’re my stores. I can break the rules, right?

If you know me, you know I’m not a big rule-breaker, but this felt right. This year, Red Barn Mercantile will be 19, Penny Post will be 9, and Pippin Toy Co. will be 3. It’s high time we started celebrating all the hard work this team has put into running a local, independent business. Now, I could have moved it to any month, but March—being Women’s History Month—feels like the right one.

To celebrate, we wanted to have a little fun and create something to mark the occasion. Last year, my friend and chef extraordinaire, Nicole Jones, made a sweatshirt that said “Support Local Woman-Owned Businesses.” I loved it so much that I ran out and bought one. I wear it proudly. Since Nicole is no longer selling the sweatshirts, I reached out to her to see if I could recreate our version of it and, because she believes in women supporting women, she agreed. I offered to pay her—as one should for another person’s idea—and naturally she said no. The only price was one sweatshirt. That’s kindness and support on a grand scale!

So, for this year’s anniversary, we have created a sweatshirt and tote bag (she gets one of those too!) to celebrate all woman-owned businesses. They are available for pre-sale now and will be in the stores by mid-April (or sooner!). You can order the sweatshirt and tote online at Red Barn Mercantile, the store that started it all.

To further celebrate, this weekend we will be pulling discounts (just like at our Holiday Unveiling) from 15% to 30% off your purchase and hosting a fun activation in each store: cocktails featuring locally owned Crescent Simple Syrups from noon to 4 p.m. at Red Barn Mercantile, button-making craft fun at Penny Post, and free prizes from our gumball machine at Pippin Toy Co. Plus, pick up buttons at Red Barn and Pippin to go with the one you make at Penny Post!

We hope to see you Saturday!!