Tucked away in a residential area in Camp Hill, a building bursts with creativity, celebrating community and allowing local artisans to highlight and cultivate their talents.
The business, known as 32nd Street Mercantile, is comprised of 43 makers, all of whom have carved out individual niches in the building. The small, attractively decorated stalls show off makers who create items like paintings, jewelry, fused glass, clothing, gourmet food, crocheted items, self-published books, home décor and more.
The original store of the same name opened in 2021 and changed hands over the summer. Today, the shop is run by two couples: Beth and Mike Hillman and Jennifer and John Anderson.
“We attended a vendor meeting one night and the owner, Kathy Carbonaro, informed us that she would soon be closing,” Beth Hillman said. “We couldn’t bear to see that happen, so we purchased the place.”
The owners spread word far and wide about the grand reopening. Kids frolicked in bouncy houses in the large parking lot as adults perused unique merchandise and sampled fare made by the vendors.
“Before we took over, advertising was practically nonexistent,” Jennifer Anderson said. “We needed to let the public know how to find us. That was the main reason for hosting a grand opening.”
Unique Items
While much has remained the same, some aspects of the business have changed.
According to Jennifer, the “new” business will concentrate more on the community. People can look forward to a Charles Dickens event and a Christmas event starring Santa, food tastings and more.
“My aunt, who is 70, knows so much about gourmet goods and told me about Tait Farms,” Jennifer said. “We sell their chutney, jams, pancake mix, biscuit mixes and salad dressings.”
The store also carries faith-based brands, which are often inscribed with a biblical message, from Bible bracelets to baby quilts with verses on them and Christian books.
“The books I’m picking are ones that are hard to find at stores like Target and Walmart,” Jennifer said. “They are hand-selected from Christian authors.”
Seeking a gift for a man who’s tough to buy for? Head over to the “Mercantile Men,” section, which features products for beard and hair care, along with items like books, sketch pads and pencils.
“We like the fact that our customers can see for themselves high-quality, unique items that will speak to them in a way that an online store can’t,” Jennifer said.
It’s obvious that Jennifer is in her element when it comes to the craft business.
“My mom started doing craft shows when I was 12,” she said. “Her business, ‘Painting by Eileen,’ has a pretty big following, and I’ve also grown to love the industry.”
Eye-Catching
The couples hold down full-time jobs while managing 32nd Street Mercantile, but that doesn’t mean the business gets short shrift.
“We are all very committed people, and community is especially important to us,” Jennifer said. “So, we devised a motto that sums it up. ‘Unity, Community, Growth’ is what came about through attending church services and finding guiding principles to build upon.”
It’s important to both Jennifer and Beth to make the business a family destination.
“We’re going to hold ‘Mommy and Me’ classes and ‘Daddy and Me’ classes, along with a ‘Paint Your Family,’ class,” Jennifer said.
In keeping with the community focus, the front room is now a space for relaxation, coffee, donuts on weekends and Wi-Fi.
“We are inviting people to hold talks, classes and seminars in that room when we’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays,” Jennifer said.
Kim Bentz, who lives north of Wellsville, is a vendor who sells antiques, wood crafts and other handcrafted items.
“People seem to like the old, nostalgic feel of my booth that sometimes takes them back in time to their grandmother’s house,” Bentz said.
She added that one person bought a little stuffed horse for her sister because her dad purchased something similar for her when she was a child. Another shopper, who was a collector, bought an old metal music box.
In accepting vendors, Jennifer said that they try to resist duplication so they can keep a wide range of products in the store. They are also willing to help vendors design their spaces so that their booths are attractive and eye-catching.
As the holiday season kicks into gear, 32nd Street Mercantile is expecting a busy time ahead.
“We love our customers and our vendors and are looking forward to continuing to grow the business and make it a family destination,” Jennifer said.
32nd Street Mercantile of Camp Hill is located at 515 S. 32nd St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.32ndstreetmercantile.com or their Facebook page.
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