ALLENTOWN, Pa - The South Mall Mercantile, a store loaded with great finds, gifts etc announced that they will be closing their doors at the end of January, according to an announcement on their Facebook. page.
They stated,. "We have been a staple at the South Mall for over 8 years and will be sad to close. We have tried for many months to negotiate with South Mall for a reasonable lease. It appears South Mall would prefer an empty store instead of our vibrant store to bring in foot traffic."
"The amount that they are asking for rent makes us financially unable to remain open".
They also stated, "We appreciate all of our faithful customers over the years and our awesome vendors and staff as well".
The following are just a few of the comments left on their Facebook page.
This is literally my favorite store and one of my favorite places to walk around on my day off, this makes me so sad, it’s the only reason to come to the mall
Very sad situation ..sad ending too ..I love the South mall and I often shop at the mercantile ..I will definitely miss it ..there is hope thou ..maybe a miracle
I’m so sad! My daughter and I go to the South Mall just to visit your store. We won’t have any reason to visit that mall now. They will lose a lot of business for the other stores in there as well (we check out other stores while there but wouldn’t go there just for them). It was a great tradition for us. I’m just so sad.
No this is very sad—it’s a part of my weekly ritual! Is there anything your customers can do to get their management to change their minds? What a true loss! It’s such a community place!
October 15th, 2022, when I visited the mercantile, expecting to help me take my mind off my newly widowed life, I heard a rendition of Hillsong's "Broken Vessels" playing on their speakers. I went home that day, sobbing, and created a video tribute to my dearly departed Stephanie using a different rendition of the same song by Hillsong. I come here at least once every week to keep that somber and humble feeling inside while buying a cool item when I see it. It saddens me to hear this shop will close its doors for good, so I will make sure yo treasure the memories of this place which I consider hallow due to the memories of the pain I once brought with me. In the meantime, here is the video I mentioned, a tribute to my wife, with the song I heard playing in this mercantile:
We'll miss being a vendor. Now that you've made the official announcement we can publicly begin the mourning process.
In meantime, shameless plug for our Gnomes in the general store section of The Mercantile.
Simply Charmed
The store will remain open through the Christmas shopping season and will close its doors on January 25, 2024, according to the announcement.
They anticipate many sales and encourage people to stop by and find that special gift for someone.
Announcement from their Facebook page:
We are heartbroken to announce that South Mall Mercantile will be closing it's doors on January 25th, 2024. We have been a staple at the South Mall for over 8 years and will be sad to close.
We have tried for many months to negotiate with South Mall for a reasonable lease. It appears South Mall would prefer an empty store instead of our vibrant store to bring in foot traffic.
The amount that they are asking for rent makes us financially unable to remain open. We appreciate all of our faithful customers over the years and our awesome vendors and staff as well.
When my husband had a vision to open the Mercantile he wanted it to be a place where vendors could sell their items with reasonable rent.
We have tried our best over the years to keep our rents low, unfortunately, South Mall has made that impossible.
As I said, we will be here through the Christmas season and until the 25th of January.
As always, our store is loaded with great finds for gifts, decorating, stocking stuffers, etc.
I anticipate many sales going on so please stop by and find that special gift for that special someone. We at The Mercantile wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. We will miss you!!