MG Mercantile
The history-rich hamlet of Mt. Gretna is home to many things to do and see—biking and hiking trails, a playhouse, a lake and beach for swimming, a mini golf course, a roller rink, a tennis court, a textile gallery, an ice-cream parlor, specialty restaurants, and now, a drive-in “theater” of the most unique manner.
No car-side speakers, no big outdoor screen, and no concession stand and yet provisions and supplies are its mainstays. No movie is needed as you will be entertained, enchanted and enlightened when you pull up to Mt. Gretna Mercantile, a mere 33 minutes from Harrisburg. To think this rare jewel of a store exists in Mt Gretna is a treasure indeed, even better than buttered popcorn. Picture everything imaginable from A to Z, the absolute best outpost. Like the drive-in experience promises, this is a double feature delight.
Kismet in the Pines
Nothing in life happens randomly. “A visit to a friend’s cabin in 2022,” shared Tanya Mann, brought the store’s future owners, Tanya and Jeff Grimshaw to Mt. Gretna. Was it a crystal ball moment or just imagining the possibilities of what the property held in store (no pun intended), one will never know for sure. The property was the former home of a storied bank in Mt. Gretna lore. But first things first. Tanya imagined the site’s potential for what was to be—opening a dream destination drive-in (not literally mind you) but an emporium that is “Retail Theater” everywhere you look. When Tanya and Jeff purchased the building, major renovations needed to take place. Tanya outfitted the building’s interior and became emotionally invested in the idea of entrepreneurship, something the couple knows well. They are authors as well as consultants and motivational speakers to businesses worldwide. Her vision was crystal clear for the future, even with no retail experience, other than as a shopper. “After all, Mt. Gretna deserved a gem of a store,” she said.
Way It Used to Be
Remember when going to town to shop was a fun experience back in the day? Merchants took great pride in window displays and setting the stage inside like a movie set. MG Mercantile’s aesthetic speaks to those special times when artistic presentation greeted the customers as soon as they entered. The store’s ambience is one of a lifestyle still embraced from the coast of Maine to the Adirondacks, a “lodge of like-minded adventurers” dropping in to catch up on local news, stock up on supplies, and visit with old acquaintances. It’s a place where strangers and visitors passing through become friends before they leave the store. MG Mercantile is the embodiment of the best shopping experience imaginable as it combines presentation and product under one roof.
Page from History
“When I purchased the property in September 2022, I knew I was taking on a piece of Mt. Gretna’s history,” Tanya shared. The building that now houses MG Mercantile was constructed in 1975-76. Lebanon County Trust commissioned a recent Yale architecture graduate to design a bank that reflected the style of a Mt. Gretna cottage, Tanya said. The result was a structure that fit seamlessly into the charm of the area. Shortly after the bank opened, it became the scene of an unforgettable moment in local lore.
The bank tellers were preparing to close the morning operations when an armed bandit forced them into the wide-open vault and made off with about $25,000. “Luckily, they had already triggered the bank alarm and hastening to flee, he closed the door but did not spin the vault dial shut. The crime remains unsolved, but a few longtime residents can think of a troublemaker or two that fit the description,” Tanya revealed. That day was the most talked about in the bank’s history until MG Mercantile opened its doors mid-summer 2023. The polished bank vault is more than just a footnote in the annals of Gretna but lays claim to that surreal scene highlighted by a plaque and accompanying news article. Today, the bank’s structural components remain in place as they did when Penn Realty occupied the space after the bank closed.
Essence of MG Mercantile
The facilitator of all things magical is Tanya, who is full of ideas, imagery and inspiration. Her personal touch is felt in every aspect of the business—from the hand-carved canoe suspended from the ceiling in the main room to shelves stocked to the gills, as the fish are always running in Conewago Lake. The “MERC” is filled with supplies for day hikers, campers, bikers and residents of the village, as well as visitors passing through the wooded glens. Pulling up to MG Mercantile’s parking lot, you will find an inviting shaded patio and lovely landscaped grounds complete with a front porch downhome feel, having arrived at an oasis of warmth and wonder. Entering the store’s foyer, you step into an atmosphere that looks like a Hollywood-styled canteen of 1940s glamour. Just imagine the movie stars have already gone back to complete their makeup for the next scene, so the stage is yours. Make yourself at home, fascinated by the layout and decor and the endless array of goods before your eyes. Settle in for a while and read about “The Great Bank Heist” in black and white newsprint and that bank vault you see—it was the main actor in the real event. They play a true-to-life part of the stage set that Tanya adroitly lays out in each room, providing a theater of the mind and a feast for the eyes, whose allure is both colloquial and chimerical, balancing tradition and the zeitgeist of the day.
The shop is stocked with all the basics from ramen noodles to pasta sauces, chili crisps, a medley of condiments, a smorgasbord of cheeses, preserves, spreads, pickled foods, jams, shelf-stable nut milks, ice coffees, popcorn, crackers and specialty sodas. Mixers for cocktails provide plenty of choices for entertaining. Dry goods include kitchen items, aprons, tea towels, gardening tools, art, books and Mt. Gretna-inspired merchandise. Rounding out the myriad selections are home decor, soaps and fragrance diffusers as well as lavender sachets. Tanya prides herself on sourcing products from local suppliers. With April’s arrival, the Mercantile springs ahead with new vistas beyond the store’s motto: “curated goods, groceries and gifts.” They are expanding to include a “Canopy of Classes,” that include wreath making, creating small art mosaics, container gardening and pastel art projects. The classes started in March and will run through December with themes geared for the seasons at hand. In addition, a drive-through pickup may not be too far off in the distance as the bank had a drive-up window.
On a visit this past fall, my wife surprised me with one of the Mercantile’s featured items, a coffee table book, “Porches of Mt. Gretna: A Photo Journal” by author Kerry Royer and photographer, Shannon Fretz. As I met Kerry earlier last summer for a featured article on Mt Gretna, the purchase was all the more special as it is a signed edition. For those who love Gretna as much as we do, this is a true treasure.
Mt. Gretna is a community built on “gratitude,” something special that resides in the hearts of its residents. This two-way affair of appreciation is felt by Tanya and Jeff who are as excited about the hamlet’s welcoming support as the townspeople are thrilled to have the Mercantile’s curated contents and convenience so readily available. The shop has become a place of pride and distinction for the area. The marquee out front reads now playing: “MG Mercantile and Mt. Gretna,” the perfect double feature.
MG Mercantile is located at 501 PA-117, Mt. Gretna. For more information, visit www.mgmercantile.com or call at 717-675-9730.
Photo by Jana MacGinnes.
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