I looked in the window curiously upon first seeing The Mercantile a week ago. Signs mentioned "specialty foods" and also sandwiches. But I was in a hurry and just had time for a cursory glance. Initially I was not positive whether it was just a sandwich shop, or if it also sold some grocery items. I filed it away for later exploration. When we ran out of Sparkman's milk this morning, I looked on their web site to see if there was someplace closer than Whole Foods where I could pick up more. I saw that The Mercantile was listed as a retail outlet and immediately recalled the store. It was time to check it out. I was greeted by butcher-block tables and baskets with small amounts of local and/or organic vegetables and produce. I found it so hard to find this type of store on my explorations around town that I inwardly sighed with appreciation. I picked up a basket and looked around. Small signs told shoppers where each product came from- many originated out of state, but I enjoyed at least being able to tell. Other products were definitely local, like some of the Sweet Grass cheeses, which I discovered and fell in love with two weeks ago at Whole Foods. A very small, refrigerated section held greens, cheeses, and dairy. I picked up the milk and butter I needed. I noticed extensive sandwich choices on a black board. I ordered an egg salad one to take home and then paid for my purchases. I also indulged in a coffee right next door at San Francisco Coffee which has some of the best coffee I have ever tasted. This week has been a lot more organized for me. I now have figured out how to work menu planning and shopping around the CSA delivery. My husband, son, and I have all been loving the Georgia apples. I've noticed the muscadines are beginning to get less sweet - I wondered if their season was ending. But we've been enjoying lots of greens (like Swiss chard) as well. And I was happy to have found an additional, local grocery place that made a darn good egg salad sandwich too!
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