Mercantile boutique to open soon in Florence
Staff reporter
Necessity sometimes is the mother of invention. Such was the case of the owners of Doyle Creek Farms of Florence.
Randy and Judy Mills, owners of the cattle operation, wanted to open an office for the ranch in Florence and also needed storage space. They purchased a downtown, storefront building at 510 Main, Florence, formerly the Buggy Works, and renovated part of it for office space.
Ideas began to abound regarding the use of the front of the building. Mother Judy and daughter Sara Neal decided a retail shop would be a great addition.
"We both like to shop," said Neal, and decided a retail shop would be a good fit.
"Having lived here for nearly 40 years, we thought maybe we could give the town a shot in the arm," said Judy Mills.
The "shot in the arm" is Doyle Creek Mercantile, a country store with a boutique appearance.
"Before we purchased the building, we had heard about agri tourism and discovered people will pay to see the stars at night and blue sky during the day," said Mills. "People will drive to come see it and decided on a shop with a bunkhouse."
A second floor, one-bedroom furnished apartment, they call a "hide-away," is above the mercantile and can accommodate visitors to Florence like an old-fashioned bunkhouse.
The mercantile, which will open Nov. 19 for business, will offer a little bit of everything from thread to crackers.
Specialty food items, including foods under the Doyle Creek Farm label, and food gift baskets are among boutique-type items — purses, kitchenware, jewelry, candles, western and primitive antiques, and other items for the home and person.
"We want to keep shopping fun," said Neal, and much time was spent by the shop owners to display their wares.
The women are not taking this venture lightly.
"We really researched this," said Mills. "We shopped around and found things we liked at a good price and value."
The first thing customers will notice is the exterior of the building. Those who are familiar with its former appearance will see a significant difference from metal and glass to wood and a handicap accessible ramp that resembles a boardwalk.
The families have worked on the building for the past six months, with most progress made in the past few weeks.
The duo hopes this will spur other entrepreneurial activities in the area.
Neal and husband Scott have two daughters who are three and five.
"So many small towns are dying," said Neal. "I'd like for this town to survive so my children will want to return (as adults)."
The store's grand opening is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 19, and 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 20.
Regular store hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Mill's other daughter, Mary Harper of Sedgwick also will assist with the store.
"We have so much here in Florence to build on," said Mills, and she hopes this will be another building block for the future.
