In the waves of change,we are often pulled in a multitude of directions, and sometimes, we find ourselves washed up where we need to be. Three years ago, Cameron and Laura Reed took a trip to Anna Maria Island, but found their way to Sarasota during an accidental detour. Charmed by the city on the bay, the young couple decided to sell their restaurant in Vermont a few years later to embrace a change of pace. They traded in the restaurant life for the merchant life, opening Mercantile Home and Apparel at the end of March. Located on Main Street in Downtown Sarasota, the shop serves as a harmonious blend of carefully curated items. “We don’t just pick things to fill a void,” Laura says. “Everything we carry is special to us.” 

The eclectic selection of housewares comes from Roost, a wholesale line based in California that craft, handmade modern pieces with a playful and natural aesthetic. Their clothing collection, however, is mainly sourced from Italy and France, where Camera and Laura focus on selecting dreamy fabrics that look timeless and effortless. “We don’t really pinpoint brands, but instead choose pieces based on what fits and feels good,” Laura says. 

The shop’s atmosphere puts simplicity over spectacle and feels like a modern apothecary houses within an airy, light-filled urban loft space, where a touch of industrial meets a touch of rustic to create a warm, inviting space. A few pieces brought from Vermont, such as vintage ceiling tiles and a gold-framed mirror, add a touch of drama. 

 “We don’t want to deter anybody from coming in here,” Cameron says. “We’ve had teenagers dress here and ladies up to 90 years old dress here.” Cameron and Laura hope to continue drawing a diverse clientele as Downtown Sarasota expands. “We’re really happy to be here and to be a part of this new life that’s being breadth into the area,” Laura says. SRQ