Red Barn Mercantile Holiday Unveiling 2025: 10 Insider Tips for the Best Shopping Experience
We have been preparing all year long for the holidays – literally. We start in January at market buying ornaments and décor then spend the rest of the year scouring new vendors. Every improvement we make operationally or gain financially goes towards bringing you all the holiday magic we can muster! As with every year, we are over the moon with excitement to kick off the holidays with our Annual Holiday Unveiling. Mark your calendars for November 6 from 6pm to 9pm in-store and online at Red Barn Mercantile!
This year I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips with you on how to make the most of this much anticipated event:
Bring a friend or family member and make a night of it. Friends and family coming in pairs (or hoards) to shop and snack before (or after) going out to dinner is one of our favorite things. We recommend making your reservations now, so you don’t have to play the where-do-you-want-to-eat game in the moment. That’s a total buzz kill. If you are looking for something nearby, then we recommend Augie’s for a casual dinner or Thompson’s Italian for something more elevated.If you’re willing to walk a short way, then Josephine’s for their signature French 75 and the French Onion Soup. So yummy!
We are crowded but there WILL be enough so plan accordingly. This is our biggest night of the year so we will be crowded. In the past we have used lines to manage the crowds in the store. Just in case, don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little while to get in. However, because we are launching everything for the first time, we are fully stocked and you aren’t likely to miss anything. So, don’t feel like you have to be there right as we open. The party continues until 9:00pm so can enjoy the event at your pace. However, if you are shopping from home, please know that we don’t have separate stock for our website so if someone in person gets the last one, then it is theirs.
Discounts up to 30% on ALMOST everything. If you’ve shopped with us for any time at all, you know we only discount the entire store two times a year. On Plaid Friday and the Holiday Unveiling. During the Unveiling, you get to pull a chit from a jar when you check out to see if you get 15%, 20% or 30% off your purchase. The anticipation is exciting and it’s always a thrill when someone gets 30% off. You hear the cheers across the store and it’s great! The only things we will not be discounting this year are Jellycat plush, Smithey cast iron, and fountain pens at Penny Post. Everything else, including special order rugs and furniture, is fair game! Oh, and if you pull a big discount and want to add to your purchase, then be our guest!
Don’t forget your party favor from Meant To Be Calligraphy. My dear friend Michele Hatty Fritz of Meant to Be Calligraphy has been part of our tradition for the last decade and we could not be more grateful. Her generosity and talent know no bounds! This year she will be on hand to write your holiday message on an ornament. To avoid any stressful creative blocks, we recommend doing your message brainstorming before you get there.
Do plan for a long checkout line. We only have space for two registers. The team is going as fast as they can, but it does take time. Do plan for a wait in line. This is another reason to bring a friend. You can tag team grabbing a bite or getting your party favor while you wait!
Be sure to tell us if you’re in our Rewards Program. If you are in our Rewards Program please be sure to tell us so you get your points! We will ask, but sometimes we forget so be sure to let us know. And, if you aren’t in the program be sure to join!
Make time for Penny Post and Pippin Toy Co. Our other two stores – Penny Post and Pippin Toy Co. will be decked out in full holiday regalia from 6pm to 9pm too! Sweet treats will be available as well as discounts up to 30% off so make a trip over there to get your holiday card supplies and stocking stuffers!
Shop from home or afar if you’d rather. We know it’s not always easy to be here especially for someone who doesn’t like crowds or has kids or is travelling. That’s why we host the same event online! You will need to make your own charcuterie board but put on the Christmas music and shop in your pjs! There will be a device that randomly selects your discount for you. A code will be generated for use when you check out. This will be true for Penny Post and Pippin Toy Co. Plus, the online store will be open until 10:00pm in case the kids stayed up too late or the dinner meeting ran long or you forgot something when you were at the store earlier.
DO NOT sleep on the Jellycat. Ok, this is the biggest tip if you have someone you care about who loves Jellycat. There has been a shortage of Jellycat for the last year and it’s not letting up. We have been limited to what we can get which means once it’s gone it’s gone. Since we won’t be discounting Jellycat (for this reason), DO NOT wait to get what you need. Currently, it is all on the floor at Red Barn Mercantile and Pippin Toy Co. — so get it now!
Where to park? We are somewhat fortunate that the parking situation on upper King is much easier to navigate than lower King. Street parking at that hour should be readily available. Free parking can be found on the 200 block of North Fayette and the 1100 block of Cameron. Meters are 3 hours around us (Thanks, Danielle!) so you have plenty of time to shop and eat. Meters end at 9pm so if you time it just right a late dinner can go as late as the restaurant is open!
We cannot wait to kick off the holiday season with you and look forward to seeing you at Red Barn Mercantile at 1117 King Street on November 6!!
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